My Service Canada Account: How to register with GCKey

This page provides you with the information you need to register for My Service Canada Account (MSCA) with GCKey. Please make sure to read and understand the below steps before you start your registration. Once you are ready, click the “Register with GCKey” button at the bottom of the page.

A GCKey is a unique electronic credential issued by the Government of Canada for use with online Government services. To use GCKey to access MSCA you must:

1. Sign up for GCKey (if you don’t have it)

   If you have an existing GCKey, you can sign in with GCKey by entering your username and password. You will then be redirected to create your My Service Canada Account.

   If you haven’t already created a GCKey username and password, select the “Sign up” button on the Welcome to GCKey page and follow the instructions.

2. Verify your identity

   Once you have signed in with GCKey, you will be presented with 2 options to help verify your identity:

   1. Use Interac® verification service Recommended

      The Interac® verification service option will allow you to register for MSCA in a quicker and safer way. To help verify your identity using this option, you must use your online banking information. You must consent that your financial institution will share basic personal information with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

      View the full list of participating financial institutions

      • BMO
      • CIBC
      • Desjardins
      • RBC
      • Scotiabank
      • TD

      This real-time identity verification will help you access MSCA features right away. For more information, please refer to our Help verify your identity using Interac® verification service page.

   2. Use a personal access code (PAC)

      PACs are used to help verify your identity. You need it to register for MSCA with GCKey. To verify your identity using this option, you must ensure you have received your PAC before registering for MSCA. You will need to enter your PAC when creating your MSCA profile.

      If you don’t already have a PAC, you can request and receive it:

      By mail

      You can request a PAC online and receive it by mail within 5 to 10 business days.

      You will need:

      • your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • your parent's family name at birth
      • your postal code if you are a Canadian resident or your country of residence if you are a foreign resident

      Have your JavaScript enabled.

      Request a PAC

      In person at a Service Canada Office

      Due to COVID-19, you need to submit a Service Canada's online service request form. A Service Canada agent will contact you within 2 business days.

      You will need:

      • your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • your parent's family name at birth
      • your postal code if you are a Canadian resident or your country of residence if you are a foreign resident
      • a valid (not expired) acceptable proof of identity, such as:
        • Canadian passport
        • certification of Canadian citizenship
        • certification of Indian status
        • certificate of registration of birth abroad
        • driver's license (provincial or territorial)
        • health card
        • permanent resident card
        • provincial identification card

      Find a Service Canada Office

      By phone

      Note: This service is only available for returning clients of the Canada Pension Plan. Employment Insurance beneficiaries cannot get a PAC by phone.

      The Service Canada agent will let you know when you could receive your access code. The time frame will vary by case.

      Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm local time. You can also call this number to check the status of your PAC request or disable your PAC.

      You will need:

      • your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • answers to various security questions to verify your identity

3. Create your MSCA profile

   Once you have signed in with GCKey and have verified your identity, you will be directed to create your MSCA profile.

Register with GCKey