A bank locker is often where a family keeps its most important originals — property papers, jewellery, certificates. When the holder dies, access follows RBI's deceased-customer framework, not the branch's discretion. Here is how nominees and legal heirs get access, and the timelines the bank must meet.
The Rules That Govern Your Claim
Locker claims are covered by the RBI (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025, effective 1 January 2026, with banks required to implement them by 31 March 2026. The framework standardises claim forms across banks and fixes two protections that matter for lockers:
The bank must begin the locker inventory process within 15 days of the claim being lodged with complete documents.
If the bank delays beyond the prescribed timelines, it must pay compensation of ₹5,000 per day for lockers and articles in safe custody.
Where a nomination is registered, the framework is strict: the bank settles on the basis of its standard claim form, the death certificate and the claimant's identity proof — no succession certificate, probate, indemnity or surety can be demanded from a nominee, whatever the locker contains. The nominee receives the contents as a trustee for the legal heirs, which means the bank's job ends with a proper handover; how the contents are shared within the family is the family's matter.
If You Are the Registered Nominee: Step by Step
Inform the branch in writing where the locker is held, and submit the standard claim form for a deceased customer's locker (the bank's form under RBI's standardised Annex I series).
Attach the documents: certified copy of the death certificate, your identity and address proof, and the locker details (locker number and agreement, if you have them). The bank verifies the nomination from its own records.
The bank schedules the inventory. This should begin within 15 days. The locker is opened in your presence, along with bank officials and witnesses.
An inventory is recorded: each item taken out is listed and described in the inventory record, which you sign. The bank describes the contents — it does not value them.
You take custody of the contents against your signed acknowledgment, the locker is surrendered, and the locker agreement is closed. Clear any locker rent arrears the branch shows, and take a receipt.
For a jointly held locker, the locker agreement's operating mandate and the nomination recorded on it decide who is given access — the surviving holder and/or the nominee, as per the mandate on record. Confirm the exact position with the branch from the agreement before the visit.
If There Is No Nominee: The Legal Heir Route
Without a nomination, all legal heirs claim together, or some claim with the written no-objection of the others. The standard document set under the RBI framework is:
The bank's standard claim form for legal heirs
Certified copy of the death certificate
Identity and address proof of the claimant(s)
Legal heir certificate — or a declaration by an independent person well known to the family, as the framework permits
Indemnity bond by the claimants
Disclaimer / no-objection from the heirs who are not claiming
An affidavit supporting the claim, where the bank's form calls for one
Importantly, under the RBI framework's simplified route, no third-party surety is required — the older branch practice of demanding sureties with net-worth proof for routine claims has been done away with. Where claims are disputed among heirs, or the bank has a genuine legal doubt, it may ask for a succession certificate; a routine, undisputed family claim should not need one.
After verification, the inventory visit proceeds exactly as in the nominee route: locker opened in the claimants' presence, contents listed and described, signed inventory, contents handed over against acknowledgment, locker surrendered.
At the Inventory Visit: Practical Notes
If the locker key is lost, tell the bank in advance. The locker is then broken open in your presence by the bank's arranged vendor after the claim is admitted; the break-open cost is charged as per the bank's schedule. Never attempt to force or drill a locker yourself.
Read the inventory before signing. Every item you remove should appear in it. If sealed packets or envelopes are inside, note how they are described, and open them only after the inventory records them.
Carry a bag and time. You will be signing multiple records — claim, inventory, surrender of the locker and rent settlement. Take copies of everything you sign.
Photograph nothing inside the vault area unless the branch permits it; rely on the signed inventory as your record.
If the Bank Delays or Demands Extra Papers
Insist on a stamped acknowledgment with a date for every document you submit — the 15-day clock and the ₹5,000-per-day compensation both run from complete submission.
If a branch demands a succession certificate or sureties from a registered nominee, ask for the demand in writing and escalate to the bank's grievance cell, citing the RBI deceased-customer directions.
If the delay continues, complain to the RBI Integrated Ombudsman. Compensation for locker delays is ₹5,000 per day of delay beyond the prescribed period.
Documents Checklist
Bank's standard claim form (nominee claim, or legal heir claim if no nomination)
Certified copy of the death certificate
Claimant's identity and address proof
Locker number / locker agreement copy, if available
No-nominee claims additionally: legal heir certificate or independent-person declaration, indemnity bond, affidavit, and disclaimer/NOC from non-claiming heirs
Stamped acknowledgment of submission — ask for it every time