How to Register for My Service Canada Account

What Is My Service Canada Account?

My Service Canada Account (MSCA) is a secure online portal provided by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It gives you access to your personal information for several key government programs: Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS).

With MSCA, you can view and update personal details, submit applications, check claim statuses, access tax slips, and communicate with Service Canada, all without visiting an office or calling a phone line. It is an essential tool for anyone who interacts with these programs.

What You Can Do with MSCA

• View your EI claim status and payment information
• Complete EI bi-weekly reports online
• View your CPP Statement of Contributions and estimated retirement benefits
• Apply for CPP retirement pension, disability benefits, or survivor benefits
• View OAS and GIS payment details
• Apply for the Allowance for the Survivor and other OAS benefits
• Access tax slips: T4E (EI), T4A(P) (CPP), T4A(OAS)
• Update your address, banking information, and other personal details
• View Records of Employment
• Request letters and documents from Service Canada

How to Register

There are several ways to sign in to or register for MSCA. The Government of Canada has been updating its authentication options, so use the most current method available.

Option 1: GCKey

GCKey is a government-issued credential for accessing federal online services. To register:

1. Go to the My Service Canada Account page.
2. Click on the option to sign in or register.
3. Select "GCKey" as your sign-in method.
4. If you do not have a GCKey, click "Sign Up." You will choose a username and password, set up security questions, and accept the terms.
5. Once your GCKey is created, you will link it to MSCA by entering your SIN, date of birth, and other identity verification details.

Option 2: Sign-In Partner (Bank Login)

You can use your existing online banking credentials from a participating Canadian financial institution. This uses a secure federated identity system; the government does not see your banking password.

1. Go to the MSCA sign-in page.
2. Select "Sign-In Partner" and choose your bank from the list.
3. You are redirected to your bank's login page. Enter your credentials.
4. After verification, you return to MSCA to complete registration with your personal details.

Option 3: Provincial Digital Identity

Some provinces, such as British Columbia and Alberta, offer provincial digital identity services that can access federal services. If your province participates, this option appears on the sign-in page. Follow the prompts to use your provincial digital ID.

Completing Registration

Regardless of sign-in method, you will need to provide:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN): Your 9-digit SIN is required.
• Personal details: Full legal name, date of birth, and security verification information.
• Mailing address: Must match the address Service Canada has on file for you.
• Personal Access Code (PAC): In some cases, Service Canada mails a PAC to your address on file. It typically arrives within 5 to 10 business days and is needed to complete registration.

If you have previously applied for EI, CPP, or OAS, your information may already be in the system, which can speed up the process. If Service Canada cannot verify your identity online, you may need to visit a Service Canada Centre in person with government-issued photo identification.

Security Best Practices

Your MSCA contains sensitive personal information. Keep your account secure:

• Use a strong, unique password that you do not reuse on other sites
• Never share your login credentials with anyone
• Log out after each session, especially on shared or public computers
• Keep your security questions and answers private
• Be cautious of phishing emails. The government will never ask for your password by email.
• Review your account activity regularly and report suspicious changes immediately

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Locked Account

Entering incorrect credentials too many times locks your account. Wait and try again, or contact Service Canada for help.

Forgotten Username or Password

Use the recovery options on the GCKey sign-in page. If recovery is not possible, you may need to create a new GCKey and re-link it.

PAC Not Received

If the Personal Access Code does not arrive within the expected timeframe, verify your mailing address with Service Canada. You can request a new PAC or visit a Service Canada Centre to complete registration in person.

Information Does Not Match

If your details do not match Service Canada's records, the system will block you. This happens after name changes, address changes, or other updates. Visit a Service Canada Centre with your ID documents to update your records first.

Using MSCA for Employment Insurance

One of the most common uses of MSCA is managing EI claims. After applying for EI, use MSCA to check your claim status, view payment history and upcoming dates, complete mandatory bi-weekly reports (which confirm you are actively job searching), update contact and banking information, and read messages from Service Canada. Completing EI reports on time is critical; missed reports can delay or stop payments. See our guide to applying for EI benefits for more details.

Using MSCA for CPP and OAS

MSCA is also your gateway to managing CPP and OAS:

• View your CPP Statement of Contributions showing lifetime contributions and estimated retirement benefits
• Apply for CPP retirement pension (available as early as age 60)
• Apply for OAS, GIS, or the Allowance for the Survivor
• View and print tax slips for CPP and OAS payments
• Update your direct deposit and mailing information

MSCA for Newcomers

If you are new to Canada, register for MSCA as soon as you have your SIN. Even if you do not need EI or CPP services immediately, having your account ready means quick access when you need it. Newcomers can also use MSCA to track their Canadian work history as they build eligibility for CPP and other programs. For broader newcomer resources, visit our guide to free settlement services and our guide to your first weeks in Canada.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sharing your SIN unnecessarily or in insecure contexts
• Using a weak or reused password for GCKey
• Not filing your annual tax return, which can affect benefit eligibility managed through MSCA
• Not updating your address with Service Canada, causing the PAC and other important mail to go to the wrong location
• Ignoring messages in your MSCA inbox, which may contain time-sensitive information about your claims

Alternative Access

If you cannot use MSCA online, you can still access Service Canada programs through other channels:

• Visit a Service Canada Centre near you for in-person help
• Call 1-800-206-7218 for general inquiries and EI questions
• Call 1-800-277-9914 for CPP and OAS inquiries (TTY: 1-800-255-4786)

Related Guides

• Guide to the Allowance for the Survivor
• Applying for EI Benefits in Canada
• How to File Your First Tax Return in Canada
• How to Apply for the Canada Child Benefit
• Free Settlement Services for Newcomers in Canada

Registering for My Service Canada Account is a simple but important step in managing your government benefits. Whether you need to file EI reports, review your CPP contributions, or apply for survivor benefits, MSCA gives you a convenient and secure way to stay on top of your government services from anywhere with an internet connection.