FAQ
Website
Q: I am a GPAA member, do I need to create an account on the website?
A: If you have a membership or had one in the past, you already have an account with us. To recover your account, go here and click on “Yes, I am a member.” and completely fill out the form. Please note: Your password must contain 7 or more characters including at least one letter and one number. It cannot contain spaces.
Check out our tutorial on recovering a Member account. If you are unable to gain access to your account, call 800-551-9707 and one of our Member Services representatives will be glad to help you. GPAA business hours are Monday - Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM Pacific.
Q: How do I create an account on the GPAA website?
A: If you have a membership or had one in the past, you already have an account with us. To recover your account, go here and click on “Yes, I am a member.” and completely fill out the form.
If you are not a GPAA member, go here to create an account and click on “No, I am not a member.” and completely fill out the form. Please note: Your password must contain 7 or more characters including at least one letter and one number. It cannot contain spaces.
Check out our tutorials on recovering Member and creating Guest/Non Member accounts on our website.
Q: How do I get into my account on the website?
A: Once you had created an account on the GPAA website, you can click on the Login link at the top right of any page on the site.
Q: How do I reset my password?
A: To reset your password, go to the top right of the homepage and click on the Login link. Click the Reset Password button. For more complete instructions, click here.
Q: If I am not a member, can I create a profile/account on the GPAA website?
A: Yes. Once you have created an account for the website, you will be able to:
- Update your profile and upload a profile image of yourself or a photo album
- Purchase a membership, register for events, and manage your orders and shipping
- Comment in the Learn, News, and Community areas of the site *
- Find friends and gold!
* Please review our Code of Conduct before posting on the site.
Q: If I am a member, do I have special access on the GPAA website?
A: Yes. GPAA or LDMA membership grants you full, unlimited access to the website. Once you have created an account for the website, you will be able to:
- Update your profile and upload a profile image of yourself, a photo album, or a video
- Check the status of your membership or renew or upgrade your membership, register for events, and manage your orders and shipping
- Post on the Forum and view special members only areas of the Forum *
- Comment in the Learn, News, and Community areas of the site *
- Affiliate with a chapter
- View the online version of Gold Prospectors magazine and the Pick & Shovel Gazette
* Please review our Code of Conduct before posting on the site.
Q: How do I set up or update my profile?
A: Visit our Help page for a tutorial on Setting Up Your Profile.
Q: How do I upload a profile photo?
A: Visit our Help page for a tutorial on Adding a Profile Photo.
Q: How do I change or update my address?
A: Log into your account on the GPAA website and go to your profile page. Next, click on the Edit Profile button under your avatar/profile photo. Then, click on the Manage Profile tab, scroll down to the Location Information tab and expand it. Update the appropriate fields and click on the Update button to save your changes.
Q: How do I upload photos to my profile?
A: Visit our Help page for a tutorial on Adding an Album to Your Profile.
Q: How do I upload a video to my profile?
A: We're now offering the ability for GPAA members to upload videos up to 500 MB to the GPAA website. Go to your profile and click on the Video Management tab on the left menu to get started. Your video will be posted after it is uploaded, encoded and reviewed by the moderator. Currently, this is a members only feature and is in the beta testing stage. Please click here to report issues or bugs you encounter.
Q: How do I report a problem I encounter on the website?
A: Give us your feedback by filling out the form on the Report a Problem page.
Membership
Q: What is a GPAA membership?
A: A Gold Prospectors Association of America membership gives you an edge as a prospector; whether you are new to gold prospecting or have been prospecting for decades.
Our membership gives you the tools you need to find gold more effectively. Membership includes a membership kit which has tools and instructional materials to get you started, including our 2020 GPAA Claims Club Membership Mining Guide! You also receive subscriptions to our bi-monthly publications: Gold Prospectors magazine, as well as access to claims across the United States and access to our community.
We offer a 1, 2, or 3 year annual membership, a Lifetime membership, and our exclusive Lost Dutchman's Mining Association (LDMA) membership. Find out more about GPAA membership here.
Q: How do I purchase or renew my membership?
A: Online: An online GPAA account is needed to log into the GPAA website or if you already have an account, please log into the site here.
- To create an account, go here and completely fill out the form.
- Once you are logged in, click on the Membership button at the top of any page on the website. This button appears after you log into the site. Or go to your profile and on the left menu, click on My Membership.
By phone: Call 800-551-9707 and one of our Member Services representatives will be glad to help you. GPAA business hours are Monday - Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM Pacific.
By mail: Renewal notices are sent by US mail before the membership is set to expire.
Q: How do I make a Lifetime membership payment or pay my LDMA dues and maintenance fees?
A: Online: Log into your GPAA online account or create a login, then go to your profile and on the left menu, click on Pay My Dues.
By phone: Call 800-551-9707 and one of our Member Services representatives will be glad to take your payment. GPAA business hours are Monday - Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM Pacific.
By mail: Membership payments, dues, and maintenance fee invoices are sent by US mail before they are due.
To set up quarterly, semi annual, or annual autopay, please call us at 800-551-9707.
Q: I lost my membership card. How do I get a new one?
A: A GPAA annual membership replacement card costs $5. A GPAA Lifetime or LDMA replacement card costs $10. Please call 800-551-9707 for assistance. GPAA business hours are Monday - Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM Pacific.
Claims
Q: When will I receive my Mining Guide?
A: The most current Mining Guide is included in any new membership purchase. Members receive the most current Mining Guide when they renew their membership or if they have a Lifetime or LDMA membership.
Q: How can I find the most current information about a claim?
A: Check your bi-monthly Pick & Shovel Gazette to keep up-to-date on claims. If you are a member, you can view here.
Q: How do I submit a Mining Report?
A: You can submit a Mining Report here.
Chapters
Q: How do I find a local chapter?
A: Check out the Chapters area of the GPAA website, under Community. You can view all of our active chapters in map or list view.
Q: How do I affiliate with a chapter or request membership with a chapter?
A: First, check the chapter’s profile page on the GPAA website. Some chapters have a Request Membership button on their pages. If the Request Membership button is not available, you can find chapter contact information on all chapter profile pages. Email or call the chapter contact to receive more information about affiliation or membership.
Events
Q: How do I find events in my area?
A: Hover over the Community button at the top of any page on the GPAA website and click on Events. You can leave the search bar blank, enter a keyword, or location. If you are searching by state, enter the abbreviation of the state. You can select a date range and distance from your location to narrow your search. You can view a full Calendar of Events here.
Forum
Q: What can I do in the Forum?
A: The forum is a family friendly environment where members and guests of the site can view posts. Only members have access to post or comment, in addition to the ability to view special members only areas. Please review our Code of Conduct before posting on the site.
Publications
Q: Can I view Gold Prospectors magazine and the Pick & Shovel Gazette on the GPAA website?
A: Yes, members can view Gold Prospectors magazine and the Pick & Shovel Gazette online. Hover over the Learn button at the top of any page on the website and click on Publications.
Q: How do I purchase a magazine subscription?
A: GPAA membership includes a subscription to Gold Prospectors magazine . If you are not a member, log into the site (or create a login if you do not have one), then go to the Store page of the website. Magazine subscriptions are available at the top left of the page.
Have a question or suggestion for the FAQ page? Please email us at webcontent@goldprospectors.org.