# Getting access to the Govinity API

Every request to the Govinity API is authenticated with an **API key** issued by
Govinity. Keys are provisioned per organization and scoped to the government(s)
you're authorized to access — partners can't mint, roll, or revoke their own keys.

## Request a key

<Stepper>

1. **Sign in** to this developer portal with your Govinity account.

2. **Email [support@govinity.com](mailto:support@govinity.com)** with your
   organization and the government(s) you need access to.

3. Once provisioned, your key appears on your account page in this portal — and
   the **API Reference unlocks automatically** as soon as a key is attached to
   your account.

</Stepper>

## Using your key

Every request carries two things:

- An **`Authorization`** header with your key as a bearer token:

  ```
  Authorization: Bearer zpka_…
  ```

- An **`X-Govinity-Government-Code`** header identifying the government you're
  querying:

  ```
  X-Govinity-Government-Code: city-of-springfield
  ```

Your key is authorized for a specific set of government codes; a request for a
government outside that set is rejected with `403 government-not-authorized`.

## Need help?

Reach us at [support@govinity.com](mailto:support@govinity.com) — we're happy to
help you get set up.