> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.geoscale.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authentication

> Authenticate requests to the GeoScale Address API using an API key.

## API keys

All requests to the GeoScale Address API must be authenticated using an API key.

You can create and manage API keys in the [GeoScale dashboard](https://dash.geoscale.io/api-keys).

## Authenticating requests

Send your API key as a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header:

```http theme={null}
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
```

For example:

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://api.geoscale.io/v1/address?country=NL&q=dam+1" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## Keep your API key secure

API keys should be treated as secrets. Do not commit them to source control or expose them in publicly accessible client-side code.

## Authentication errors

Requests with a missing or invalid API key return `401 Unauthorized`.

A valid API key without an active subscription returns `402 Payment Required`.