Getting Started
What do I need to sign up? An email address, a password, and a phone number for two-factor authentication.
How long does setup take? About 10 minutes. You'll verify your email, set up 2FA, create a vault, add your first files, and invite at least one contact.
What should I put in my vault? Start with your password manager's master password — that single file unlocks everything else. Then add a financial overview, insurance policies, subscriptions, and any crypto recovery instructions. You don't need to do it all at once. We wrote a full guide here.
Do my contacts need to create accounts? No. They verify their email and phone number, but they don't need passwords or accounts.
Do my contacts need to pay? No. Your contacts never pay to receive your vault. If release ever happens, they verify who they are and receive access. No account, subscription, or credit card.
What happens after I sign up? You'll set up your vault (choose encryption mode, add files), invite contacts, and configure your check-in schedule. Then you're done until your first check-in.
Check-Ins
How often will I hear from you? The standard interval is every 30 days. Some plans allow custom intervals (7-90 days).
What if I'm traveling or unavailable? You can pause check-ins for up to 8 weeks. They resume automatically when the pause ends.
Can I pause check-ins permanently? Yes—just deactivate check-ins from Settings. Your vault stays stored but won't be released.
What counts as responding? Clicking the link in an email, tapping the button in SMS or WhatsApp, or logging in to your dashboard.
What if I miss a check-in by accident? Don't worry. You'll get reminders for a week across all channels. The full process takes 40+ days.
Security
Who can see my files? Only you until your vault is released. Then your contacts can see them. File contents are encrypted in your browser before upload, and decrypted in the browser after download. Unencrypted file contents never touch our servers, not even temporarily. We can still see operational metadata such as file names, folder names, and file sizes.
Where is my data stored? In the EU only. We don't use US cloud providers.
What's the difference between Seamless and Maximum Privacy?
- Seamless: We hold a per-vault release key (each vault has its own, no master key) that lets your contacts access files after release. We could technically decrypt file contents, but we don't. Access controls and audit logging prevent it. Even then, decryption happens in the browser, not on our servers. Simpler for contacts: they just click a link. Available on all plans.
- Maximum Privacy: No release key on our servers. Only you have the decryption key, so we cannot decrypt file contents. We still store operational metadata such as file names, folder names, and file sizes. Contacts need a passphrase you've shared separately (in a safe, a letter, with a solicitor). Available on Plus plan.
I already use a password manager with emergency access. Why do I need Trustbourne? Emergency access gives your family all your passwords at once — with no context about which ones matter. Trustbourne holds what your password manager can't: instructions, documents, personal messages, and your master password itself — routed to the right people. Here's how they work together.
How is Trustbourne different from a notary vault like IZIMI? Notary vaults release after a death certificate. Trustbourne releases when you're unreachable — which also covers incapacitation. You choose who gets what, recipients don't need local ID, and storage starts at 5 GB instead of 1 GB. Full comparison here.
Can I change encryption modes later? Not easily—you'd need to re-upload your files. Choose carefully during setup.
Is my data backed up? Yes, encrypted backups within EU data centres. But we can't restore individual files—you should keep your own backups too.
Contacts
Do contacts know what's in my vault? Not until release. They know they're a contact, but not what files you've stored.
Can contacts see my files before release? No. They only gain access after the full escalation process completes.
What information do contacts provide? Name, email, and phone number. They verify both email and phone before being confirmed.
What do my contacts actually experience? A short email when you add them, a two-minute verification, then nothing — until it matters. During escalation they get a calm message asking if they've heard from you. After release, they get a link to browse and download files. No app, no account, no technical steps. See every screen and message here.
Can I remove a contact later? Yes, anytime from your dashboard. They'll be notified that they've been removed.
How many contacts can I have? At least one, recommended two or three. The exact limit depends on your plan (5-10 contacts).
Account
Is there a free tier? No, but we offer a generous trial and guarantee:
Try Before You Commit
- 14-day free trial — no credit card required
- Trial includes Plus features, so you can decide what you actually need
- All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee
How much storage do I get? Depends on your plan—ranges from 5 GB to 25 GB. See our pricing page for details.
Why is Trustbourne billed annually? Because the useful part is continuity. Trustbourne has to keep checking in with you, store encrypted files, notify contacts, maintain the release process, ship security updates, and stay operational long after setup. Annual billing keeps that promise honest.
Can I pay with crypto? Yes. From launch, Trustbourne supports BTC, ETH, and supported stablecoins alongside card payments. Crypto payments get 5% off.
What happens if my payment fails? We will warn you before anything important changes. A failed payment does not instantly delete your vault or release anything to your contacts. You get time to fix billing, export your data, or close the account properly.
How does Duo work? Duo lets an existing Core or Plus customer add a second person at 50% off. The second person gets a separate account, vault, contacts, check-ins, and release rules. The only shared part is billing: one annual payment covers both accounts.
Can both people see each other's vaults? No. Duo is not a shared vault. Each account stays private unless that person chooses to store or share something themselves.
Can I use Duo for someone who is not my spouse? Yes. Duo is designed for couples and partners, but the important rule is simple: two people, two separate accounts, one bill.
What makes Plus different from Core? Core is for one straightforward vault and handover plan. Plus is for people who need separate vaults, different recipient groups, custom check-in intervals, and zero-knowledge protection for high-risk files.
Can I export my data? Coming soon Self-service export is coming. Until then, contact support if you need a copy of your account data.
How do I delete my account? Coming soon Self-service deletion is coming. Until then, contact support and we'll handle the deletion request.
What happens to my vault if I delete my account? It's gone. Make sure to export anything you need first.
Still have questions? Contact us at support@trustbourne.com