Can I add an authorised person to my box?

What an authorised user is

An authorised user is someone the box holder permits to access the box. They do not rent the box and do not become the owner of the contents; they act on the holder's authority. People commonly authorise a spouse, an adult child, a trusted relative, a business partner or a professional such as an attorney.

How adding someone generally works

1. The box holder gives Knox a written instruction naming the person.
2. The person attends with their own identity documents and completes verification.
3. Any enrolment step that forms part of Knox's access procedure is completed.
4. Knox records the person and activates their access.

Knox sets the rules for who may be authorised, how many people can be added and on what terms. The First and Second Authorised Persons have full control of the box, including adding further authorised people. A Third and Fourth Authorised Person can access the box but cannot change the arrangement. An admin fee applies for each person added beyond the first two, and everyone must complete Knox's identification checks.

What to decide before you add someone

• Scope: ask whether access can be limited, for example to visits made jointly with you, or whether it is full access.
• Trust: an authorised user can usually remove items without you being present.
• Continuity: an authorised user's authority generally ends on your death, when the executor takes over, so it is not a substitute for a will or estate plan.
• Incapacity: if you want someone to be able to act for you if you lose capacity, ask an attorney how this fits with your wider arrangements, because a standard power of attorney may not remain valid in that situation.

Personal information

Knox collects personal information about each authorised user and handles it under POPIA. Let the person know you intend to add them, and make sure they understand and agree to the role before they attend.