# GET /data/* now requires an API key

Calls to GET /data/* on Census Data API stopped working on May 11, 2026.

On May 11, 2026, the Census Bureau began requiring an API key for queries made to the Census Data API. This change impacts calls to GET /data/*, and any requests sent without a valid key now fail. The requirement applies to every user querying the API.

- API: Census Data API (api.census.gov)
- Kind: Behaviour change
- Announced: May 11, 2026
- Takes effect: May 11, 2026
- Calls after that day: fail
- Calls it hits: `GET /data/*`
- Source: [Announcement](https://www.census.gov/library/video/2026/adrm/requesting-a-census-data-api-key.html)
- Page: https://www.okapi.bot/providers/census-data-api/breaking-changes/get-data-now-requires-an-api-key/

## What to use instead

To update your integration, obtain a free key, activate it, and append key=<your key> to every query. Note that each deployment needs an API key that a person manually requests and activates.

Each deployment needs a Census API key that a person requests and activates.

## Census Data API's words

> May 11, 2026 The Census Bureau now requires an API key for all queries made to the Census Data Application Programming Interface (API). This change affects every user of the Census Data API.