GCKey help

You can find rules for creating your username in the Username Checklist box on the Create Your Username page. You won't be able to proceed unless all requirements listed in that checklist are met.

As you enter a username a red “x” or a green checkmark will appear in the Username Checklist. The “x” means you haven't met the username requirements. The checkmark means you have met the username requirements.

Each username needs to be unique. You'll receive a message if the username you create has already been used.

Tips for creating a username

When creating your username, you should:

• make it easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess
• avoid using personal information, such as your name, Social Insurance Number (SIN), mailing address, or email address
• keep your username secure and don't share it with anyone

You can find rules for creating your password in the Password Checklist box. You won't be able to proceed unless all password requirements are met.

As you enter a password a red “x” or a green checkmark will appear in the Password Checklist. The “x” means you haven't met the password requirements. The checkmark means you have met the password requirements.

Confirm your password

Re-enter your password exactly as you entered it into the Create Your Password field. Both password must match or you won't be able to proceed.

Tips for creating your password

When creating your password, you should:

• make it easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess
• avoid using personal information, such as your name, Social Insurance Number (SIN), mailing address, or email address
• keep your password secure and don't share it with anyone

Recovery questions are used to help you if you forget your password.

Your questions, answers and hints should be easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.

Recovery questions and answers are required.

To create yours follow these steps:

1. For the first question, choose a recovery question from  Select a Recovery Question
2. Enter an answer to the question in the My Recovery Answer field
3. Enter the name of someone you'll remember in the Memorable Person field
   • If you think you may forget the answer to this question, you can enter a hint in the Memorable Person Hint field
4. Enter a date that you'll remember in the My Memorable Date field
   • If you think you may forget the answer to this question, you can enter a hint in the Memorable Date Hint field
5. Select Continue

On the Optional Account Recovery page you should add an email address. This email address is used to help you recover your GCKey username if you forget your username or password. This step is optional but highly recommended.

As you enter an email address a red “x” or a green checkmark will appear in the Email Checklist. The “x” means you haven't met the email requirements. The checkmark means you have met the email requirements.

If your email address has already been used

If your email address is associated with another GCKey username, a warning message will appear indicating that your email address is already in use.

You have 3 options:

• Attempt to recover the username and/or password of the other GCKey username associated with that email address by following the process for username recovery or password reset
• Register a different email address
• Register the email address to your new GCKey username by completing the email address registration process
  • If you choose to complete this process, the system will remove the email address from your other GCKey username

You can have more than one GCKey username and password. For example, you may want one for work vs one for personal accounts.

If you do create more than one GCKey:

• remember which username and password you use for each type of service
• use a different recovery email address for each GCKey username

Note: If you have more than one GCKey, ensure you keep track of which GCKey you have associated with each government account. Once a GCKey is linked to a specific government account, you need to use the same GCKey username and password to sign in each time.

Once you have created your GCKey username and password you may be asked to choose a method of two-factor authentication. This is an enhanced security measure that helps protect your personal information. Two-factor authentication requires you to confirm your identity each time you use a GCKey. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your online accounts and services.

On the Two-factor authentication page choose one of the authentication methods and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you added a recovery email address to GCKey:

1. Select Forgot your username? on the Welcome to GCKey page to have it emailed to you
2. Once you receive your username through email, select Forgot your password? on the Welcome to GCKey page and follow the steps to reset it

1. Select Forgot your username? on the Welcome to GCKey page
2. Enter your recovery email address on the Recover Username Step 1 of 2 page:
• you provided your recovery email either when you signed up for your GCKey username and password or at a later time
• if you didn't add a recovery email address and have forgotten your username and password, you have to sign up for a new GCKey and register again with each of the accounts you use
3. Select Continue
   • You'll be brought to a page that explains where your username will be emailed to and what to do if you don't receive the email.
4. Select Continue again
5. Check your email, you should receive an email from GCKey with your GCKey username
6. Enter your username and password on the Welcome to GCKey page

1. Select Forgot your password? on the Welcome to GCKey page
2. Enter your GCKey username
3. Select Continue
   • If you entered an email address when signing up for your GCKey username then you should be able to reset your password by entering that email address
   • If you didn't enter an email address when signing up then follow the instructions in the Recovery Questions and Answers box

If you select Change Your Password:

1. Enter your current password in the first field
2. Enter a new password in the Create Your New Password field
3. Enter that same password again in the Confirm Your New Password field
4. Select Continue

If you select Change Your Recovery Questions:

1. Enter your current password in the first field 
2. Choose a recovery question from the Select a Recovery Question field
3. Enter an answer to the question in the My Recovery Answer field
4. Enter the name of someone you'll remember in the Memorable Person field
   • If you think you may forget the answer to this question, you can enter a hint in the Memorable Person Hint field
5. Enter a date that you'll remember in the My Memorable Date field
   • If you think you may forget the answer to this question, you can enter a hint in the Memorable Date Hint field
6. Select Continue

Using two-factor authentication each time you sign in protects your account. You'll need to choose a second authentication method beyond just your username and password.

Setting up your method of two-factor authentication

Change your two-factor authentication

When setting up your two-factor authentication method you would have used one of the following methods:

• Authenticator app (mobile or desktop device)
• Email address

You’ll need to ensure you can still access that method. If you don’t have access to your original method you will need to use one of your saved recovery codes.

Follow these steps to change your two-factor authentication method:

My Service Canada Account (MCSA)

Instructions for how to change your two-factor authentication method for your My Service Canada Account (MCSA).

If you select Manage Your Email Address:

1. Enter your current password in the first field
2. Review the Current Email Address field, as it contains the email address you currently have registered with GCKey
3. Enter the new email address you want to register in the New Email Address field
4. Re-enter that email address in the Confirm Your New Email Address field
5. Select Continue 

Note: If you don't want to have an email address associated with your GCKey account you can remove your email address. Removing your email address will make it harder to recover your username and password if you forget them.

To remove your email address:

1. Go to Manage Your Email Address
2. Choose Remove Email Address

If you no longer want to use GCKey, you can revoke your GCKey username and password. This action cannot be undone.

To revoke your GCKey, first, sign in with GCKey:

1. On the sign-in page for the account you want to use, select the GCKey button (sign in/ log in/ register with GCKey)
   •  List of accounts
2. Go to the Revoke Your GCKey link
3. Enter your password in the Enter Your Current Password field
4. Select Continue
5. On the Revoke GCKey Complete page select Continue

Note: When you Revoke your GCKey it can no longer be used.  You'll no longer be able to access any Government of Canada online services that you registered for using this GCKey. To re-establish access to government online services you can sign up for a new GCKey username and password and re-enrol with each of the services you wish to use.