CRA sign-in services help

CRA sign-in services help - Verify your identity

You may be looking for:

• One-time passcode for multi-factor authentication (MFA)

As an extra security measure, you must verify your identity to complete your registration. This is done to ensure the safety of your tax information. For representatives using Represent a Client, this is done to ensure the safety of your clients' tax information.

You can verify your identity either by using the document verification service or with a CRA security code. Once your identity is verified, you will have full access to the CRA sign-in services.

On this page

• Document verification service
• CRA security code
• Get limited access in My Account before completing your identity verification

Document verification service

You can use the document verification service to verify your identity without waiting for a CRA security code, giving you full and immediate access to the CRA sign-in services.

Use a mobile device to take a real-time picture of yourself and an accepted government-issued photo identification document.

Who can use this service

To be eligible to use this service, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Have an accepted government-issued photo identification
• Have a mobile device with a working camera

If you are not able to use the document verification service, you can still verify your identity with a CRA security code.

Gather your identification documents

The following original government-issued identification documents are accepted:

• Canadian passport
• Canadian driver's license
• Provincial or territorial photo ID card

We do not accept:

• Provincial health cards
• Documents that have been reported as lost or stolen
• Expired or damaged documents
• Photocopies of documents
• Pictures of yourself that were not taken in real-time

Ensure the photos you submit are unobstructed (for example, the ID is fully visible and there is no glare).

CRA security code

If you can't use the document verification service, you can choose to have a CRA security code mailed to you.

When you request a CRA security code, you will have to enter the postal code or ZIP code of your current mailing address. If your postal code doesn't match what we have on file, you will have to contact us to update your address.

If you live outside Canada and the United States, your postal code or ZIP code is not required.

Get your CRA security code

We will mail your CRA security code within 10 business days to the physical address we have on file. Make sure your address is up to date.

The CRA security code comes with an expiry date. Follow the instructions before the code expires, or you will have to request a new security code to be sent to you. Alternatively, you may be able to use the document verification service.

Once you get your CRA security code, return to the CRA sign-in services page, sign in, and enter your CRA security code when prompted.

You may be able to use the document verification service if you have one of the following problems:

• You lost your CRA security code
• You did not get your CRA security code
• You entered your CRA security code incorrectly too many times and got an error message that you have been locked out

If you are not able to use the document verification service, or if you prefer to receive another CRA security code by mail, you can contact us.

Get your CRA security code in an alternate format

If you are visually impaired, you can get the CRA security code letter in an alternate format for persons with disabilities.

Get limited access in My Account before completing your identity verification

Services in My Account with limited and full access