Car Key Replacement in Saint Paul, MN

A lost key and the impound lot

Saint Paul's towing rules make a missing key more serious than it looks. The city's impound lot for Snow Emergency tows is on Cathlin Street, across from the State Fairgrounds. Only the registered owner can reclaim a car there, and must bring proof of ownership, photo ID, proof of insurance and the keys. With no key, an owner can have every paper in order and still be unable to drive out. If your car is already at the lot, say so in your request. This is general information, not legal advice.

Where the car is parked

A car with no working key cannot be moved off a plow route. The 9 p.m. parking ban covers signed Night Plow Routes and all of downtown, and Day Plow Routes follow the next morning at 8 a.m. If your only key is lost and the car sits on one of those streets, name it. Otherwise, say whether the car is in a driveway, on the street or in a garage.

Paperwork that shows the car is yours

A key cut and programmed for a car opens and starts that car, so gather papers that prove ownership:

• the title or current registration in your name
• a photo ID that matches it
• for a leased or financed car, the lease or lender paperwork if the title is not in your name

If the title is lost, ask your state motor-vehicle agency about a duplicate, and gather the registration in the meantime.

What to have ready

• the VIN, found at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, on the driver's door jamb or on the registration
• year, make, model and key type: turn key, flip key or push-button start
• any key or fob you still have, even a damaged one
• the car's exact location

If one fob still works and you only want a spare, key fob programming may be enough. The city's towing rules are summarized on the Saint Paul page, and car key replacement covers the service.