Disclosure: IRA Wealth Guide may earn compensation from some links or partner placements. That never changes our evaluation criteria or recommendations.
Not financial advice: This page is educational. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Mike Reeves is a Gold IRA specialist with over 10 years of industry experience, having evaluated dozens of providers across the United States. He has helped hundreds of investors roll over traditional retirement accounts into precious metals IRAs, with a focus on fee transparency, compliant storage, and investor-first guidance.
Written by Mike Reeves
Last updated: January 2026
If you’re opening or rolling over a Gold IRA, one of the most important (and least understood) decisions is where your metals will be stored.
Most investors focus on the dealer and the coin/bar selection, but the depository is the physical custody layer that helps keep your IRA compliant. Under IRS rules, IRA-eligible bullion must be kept in the physical possession of a bank or approved non-bank trustee—not at your home, not in a personal safe, and not “held for you” outside the qualified custody chain.
This page answers the high-intent questions that matter:
- “Where is my gold stored in a Gold IRA?”
- “Delaware Depository vs Brink’s vs IDS—what’s the difference?”
- “Is segregated storage worth it?”
- “What does ‘insured’ really mean in vaulting?”
- “How do storage fees actually work—and who sets them?”
You’ll also get a Depository Selection Checklist and the exact questions to ask your dealer/custodian before you fund.
Not financial advice. This is educational. For tax and legal questions, consult a qualified professional.
Key Takeaways (Read This First)
- A Gold IRA depository is a high-security vault facility that stores IRA-owned metals under qualified custody (typically through your custodian’s approved channels). Storage is a compliance requirement—not a preference.
- The depository is not “the dealer” and usually not “your custodian.” In a standard structure you have three parties: dealer (sells metal), custodian (administers IRA), depository (stores metal).
- Security and insurance are not a checklist of buzzwords. What matters is chain-of-custody controls, documented inventory reporting, and an audit trail that stands up to scrutiny.
- Storage fees are usually a combination of custodian schedules + depository pricing, and the billing mechanics vary by custodian. Always request the fee schedule in writing.
- Your biggest cost variable is often not storage—it’s the dealer premium/spread on the metals you buy. Use Compare Quotes before funding.
Start Here: What a Depository Is (And Why Storage Must Be Compliant)
A Gold IRA depository is an institutional-grade vault facility that stores precious metals on behalf of retirement accounts and other clients. For a Gold IRA, the key issue is not convenience—it’s compliance.
The IRS permits certain bullion and coins in retirement accounts, but for bullion eligibility the metals must be held in the physical possession of a bank or approved non-bank trustee. That requirement is why legitimate Gold IRA setups route metals to an approved storage facility under a custody chain that your IRA custodian recognizes.
What a depository does
- Receives metals via insured logistics (usually arranged through the dealer/custodian flow)
- Records serials (for bars) and inventory identifiers
- Stores metals under a defined storage type (segregated or non-segregated/commingled)
- Provides reporting/documentation to support custody and recordkeeping
What a depository does not do
- It does not “recommend” investments
- It does not set your metal purchase price
- It does not change whether the dealer gave you a fair quote
Depository vs Storage Type (Don’t Mix These Up)
A depository is the facility where your IRA metals are stored. A storage type (segregated vs commingled) is the method used inside that facility to identify and hold your metals. You choose the facility based on custody controls, reporting, and program compatibility; you choose the storage type based on cost and how you want metals handled at distribution.
Bottom line: the depository is the custody and storage infrastructure that supports your IRA’s compliant holding of physical metals.
The Three Big Names Most Investors See: Delaware Depository vs Brink’s vs IDS
Most Gold IRA investors end up choosing between a short list of widely used facilities because custodians and dealers have approved networks.
Here’s how to think about the “big three” that show up most often:
- Delaware Depository: Often used in the Gold IRA industry; describes itself as a trust company meeting IRC requirements for IRA custody and safekeeping and notes bullion is allocated and held off-balance sheet.
- Brink’s (Brink’s Global Services): A global security/logistics provider offering vault storage and “all-risk” protection language, plus integrated inventory visibility tools on its platforms.
- International Depository Services (IDS Group): Operates multiple facilities and states that deposits are insured through an “all-risk policy,” referencing Lloyd’s of London on its insurance page.
Quick comparison table (decision-first, not marketing-first)
| Depository | What to evaluate | Best-fit investor priority |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Depository | Allocation model, reporting, custody positioning as a trust company, custodian compatibility | Investors who want a widely-used facility with strong IRA-industry adoption |
| Brink’s | Visibility/reporting tools, logistics integration, custody controls, insurer structure | Investors who value institutional logistics + inventory visibility language |
| IDS | Insurance structure details, facility options, reporting and custody documentation | Investors who want clarity on “all-risk” insurance language and multi-facility optionality |
Depository Selection Scorecard (Use This to Compare Any Facility)
| Decision Factor | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Custodian compatibility | Is the facility on your custodian’s approved list? | If not approved, it’s a non-option regardless of dealer claims. |
| Chain-of-custody | Documented receiving, verification, and inventory entry procedures | This is what protects you if disputes arise. |
| Auditability | Reconciliation cadence, third-party audit artifacts (where available) | Strong controls reduce operational risk and improve transparency. |
| Reporting | How holdings are confirmed; statement detail; distribution workflows | Determines your ongoing visibility and confidence. |
| Storage type availability | Segregated and/or commingled options | Affects annual cost and distribution handling. |
| Insurance clarity | Written summary of coverage structure + claims path | “Insured” is meaningless without claim mechanics. |
| Fee mechanics | Storage fees, billing timing, and any program add-ons | Prevents hidden annual drag and surprise charges. |
Important: Your custodian may limit which depositories are allowed for your account, even if a dealer says “we can store anywhere.” Treat the custodian list as the source of truth.
Segregated vs Non-Segregated Storage Recap
Segregated vs Non-Segregated Storage (Quick Recap)
Segregated storage generally means your metals are stored separately; non-segregated (commingled) storage means holdings are pooled by type while ownership is tracked on. Both can be IRA-compliant when held under qualified custody through your custodian and an approved depository. The right choice depends on your comfort level, cost sensitivity, and whether you plan an in-kind distribution later.
Security, Audits, and Chain-of-Custody: What Matters vs What’s Just Marketing
Most depository pages say the same things: “state-of-the-art,” “24/7,” “high security,” “insured.” Those phrases are not useless—but they’re also not the decision.
Here’s what actually matters:
1) Chain-of-custody integrity (the invisible backbone)
Chain-of-custody is the documented control trail showing who handled the asset, when, and under what controls. If chain-of-custody breaks, risk increases—even if the vault is “secure.” CISA’s guidance frames chain-of-custody as a risk-control framework for physical and digital assets.
Investor translation: you want storage where handling is controlled, documented, and auditable.
2) Independent audits and reconciliations (not just “we audit”)
You’re looking for evidence of:
- internal reconciliation processes (inventory vs records)
- third-party audit frameworks (often SOC-style reports in institutional environments)
- exception handling (what happens if there is a discrepancy?)
Do not accept “trust us” as a substitute for verifiable controls.
3) Inventory reporting and visibility
Brink’s references integrated platforms for storage visibility and processes.
Whether you see those tools directly depends on how your custodian interfaces with the depository.
Practical point: Ask your custodian what reporting you receive (monthly statements, holdings confirmation, distribution workflow documentation).
4) Security features—useful, but secondary
Guards, cameras, layered access control, and detection systems are expected. The differentiator is whether the facility has a strong control environment and documentation discipline—because that is what supports compliance and dispute resolution.
Insurance Explained: What “Insured” Typically Means in Vaulting
“Insured storage” is one of the most abused phrases in the Gold IRA space.
Here’s the clean way to understand it:
Depository insurance is usually “aggregate,” not “per investor”
When a depository states it has an all-risk policy, it often describes coverage at a facility/program level (aggregate limits and conditions vary). IDS states deposits are insured through an all-risk policy and references Lloyd’s of London on its insurance page.
Brink’s uses “all-risk protection” language for storage/shipments in its vaulting/warehousing materials.
“All-risk” does not mean “all outcomes”
Insurance policies have:
- exclusions
- claim procedures
- valuation methods
- conditions around custody controls
Investor translation: Insurance is important, but your real protection is the combination of:
- controlled custody
- documented chain-of-custody
- audits and reconciliations
- reputable custodian administration
The question you should ask
Instead of “Is it insured?” ask:
“What is the insurance structure for my storage program, what perils are covered, and how does a claim work if there is a discrepancy?”
Get it in writing from your custodian or the program documentation.
Location Considerations: Real Benefits vs Imagined Benefits
Many sales conversations hype storage location like it’s a return driver. For most retirement investors, location is about comfort and operational preference, not performance.
Real reasons location can matter
- Custodian compatibility: not all custodians support all facilities
- Distribution logistics: if you plan an in-kind distribution later, shipping experience and process clarity matter
- State-level comfort: some investors prefer a specific jurisdiction or facility footprint
Reasons that are often overhyped
- “Political safety” narratives
- “Banking center distance” myths
- Fear-based location marketing
A compliant, institutional depository with strong controls is not meaningfully “safer” because it’s farther from a major city. Don’t let fear substitute for process.
How Storage Fees Are Actually Set (And Why Investors Get Confused)
Storage fees are rarely a single flat number. They are often the combination of:
- Custodian fees (account administration + processing)
- Depository storage fees (commingled vs segregated, value-based or flat)
- Transaction/distribution fees (wires, shipment handling, in-kind distribution fees)
To see how varied custodian fee disclosure can be, review:
- Equity Trust’s fee schedule access page (downloadable schedules and categories).
- GoldStar Trust’s published fee schedule PDF describing annual maintenance and depository storage fees billed annually.
- STRATA’s IRA fee schedule PDF (precious-metals-specific account categories and schedule structure).
The key insight most investors miss
Even if your annual custodian/storage baseline is “reasonable,” the dealer premium/spread on your metals can overwhelm those costs. That’s why your workflow should be:
- confirm custodian + storage fee schedule in writing
- choose storage type
- then compare itemized dealer quotes on identical IRA-eligible products
Delaware Depository vs Brink’s vs IDS: What You’re Really Choosing
When investors ask “Which is best?”, they often mean “Which is safest?” The answer is more nuanced.
You are choosing a combination of:
- custody controls and documentation
- program compatibility with your custodian
- storage type availability (segregated vs commingled)
- clarity of insurance language and claim process
- reporting and distribution workflows
Delaware Depository (how it positions IRA custody)
Delaware Depository states it is a trust company meeting IRC requirements for IRA custody/safekeeping, and that bullion is allocated to the account holder and held off-balance sheet.
That language is relevant because it speaks to custody framing, allocation concepts, and how assets are treated in the company’s structure.
Best for: investors who want a widely used IRA-storage option with strong adoption across custodians and dealers.
Brink’s (vaulting + logistics integration emphasis)
Brink’s highlights “full liability for stock held in our vaults” and “all-risk protection,” plus integrated platforms for visibility.
Best for: investors who prioritize institutional logistics language and inventory visibility framing (subject to custodian interface).
IDS (insurance language clarity + multi-facility footprint)
IDS’s insurance page states deposits are insured through an all-risk policy and references Lloyd’s of London.
Best for: investors who want clear “all-risk” insurance language and optionality across facilities, as allowed by their custodian/dealer program.
Questions to Ask Your Dealer and Custodian About Depository Selection
Use these verbatim. If they can’t answer clearly (or won’t put it in writing), pause.
Compliance and custody
- Which depositories are approved for my specific custodian/account type?
- Who has “physical possession” and how is that documented for IRA purposes? (IRS “physical possession” requirement is the core compliance reason storage exists.)
- Is storage segregated or commingled—and what does that mean for what I receive in an in-kind distribution?
Security and auditability
- What independent audits or reconciliations are performed, and how often?
- How is chain-of-custody controlled from dealer shipment to vault entry to reporting?
- What reporting will I receive (holdings confirmation, statements, distribution workflow steps)?
Insurance (the “insured” trap)
- What is the insurance structure for my storage program (aggregate limits, covered perils, exclusions)?
- If there is a discrepancy, what is the claims process and timeline? Who initiates it—custodian or depository?
Fees (where surprises happen)
- What is the full annual baseline: custodian + storage + any asset fees? Provide the schedule in writing.
- What are the transaction fees for shipment, liquidation, and in-kind distributions?
Depository Selection Checklist (Copy/Paste)
Use this as a pre-funding gate.
Depository & storage choice
- Custodian-approved depository list confirmed in writing
- Storage type selected: segregated or commingled (and you understand what that means operationally)
- Distribution plan understood (liquidate vs in-kind; shipping and handling fees)
Security & control
- Handling and chain-of-custody process explained clearly
- Audit/reconciliation process described (frequency and scope)
- Reporting cadence confirmed (statements, holdings confirmation)
Insurance
- Written description of coverage structure and claim process received
- You understand “insured” is not the same as “no risk”
Fees
- Custodian fee schedule obtained and saved
- Storage fees confirmed for your chosen method (segregated vs commingled)
- Transaction/distribution fees confirmed
Pricing discipline (most important)
- Two itemized dealer quotes on identical IRA-eligible products compared.
- If you want to reduce surprises, start with Gold IRA Fees.
- If you want to avoid overpriced metals, use Compare Quotes.
FAQ: Best Gold IRA Depositories (2026)
What is the best depository for a Gold IRA?
The “best” depository is the one your custodian approves that also offers the storage type you want (segregated vs commingled), clear reporting, and an insurance structure you can understand in writing. Storage exists to satisfy qualified custody/physical possession expectations under IRS rules.
Is Delaware Depository better than Brink’s?
Not inherently. They may differ in program structure, reporting, insurance language, and how your custodian interfaces with them. Your decision should be driven by (1) custodian approval, (2) storage type, (3) auditability and chain-of-custody controls, and (4) fee clarity.
Is IDS insured?
IDS states deposits at its facilities are insured through an all-risk policy and references Lloyd’s of London on its insurance page. Always request written details of how coverage applies to your storage program.
What does segregated storage mean for a Gold IRA?
Segregated storage generally means your metals are stored separately from other clients’ metals. It can cost more, but may provide clarity and comfort depending on your preferences and your distribution plans. See: Gold IRA Storage Types.
Can I store Gold IRA metals at home?
Gold IRA metals are generally required to remain in qualified custody (not personal possession). The IRS explains that bullion is eligible when a bank or approved non-bank trustee maintains physical possession.
Who chooses the depository—me, my dealer, or my custodian?
In practice, you can often express a preference, but your choices are constrained by your custodian’s approved depository network and the dealer’s operational channels. The custodian’s approval is non-negotiable.
Bottom Line: How to Choose Your Gold IRA Depository (In Under 60 Seconds)
If you want the simplest, safest decision logic:
- Start with your custodian’s approved list (ignore anything a dealer “promises” outside that list).
- Choose segregated vs commingled based on your comfort and distribution plan.
- Demand written clarity on:
- reporting and holdings confirmation
- custody/chain-of-custody handling
- insurance structure and claim process
- total annual baseline fees
- Then do the step most people skip: compare itemized dealer quotes on the same IRA-eligible products.
If you follow that sequence, you will avoid the two most common retirement-investor mistakes in this niche:
- picking storage based on marketing instead of compliance and documentation
- ignoring the pricing spread that quietly determines your true cost