---
title: Can two clients use the same email address?
description: Why each HealthBank client needs their own email address, and what to do for family members and dependants.
image: https://help.healthbank.io/hubfs/Help%20article%20graphics/Home/help-centre-share.png
---
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1. [HealthBank Help Centre](https://help.healthbank.io/?hsLang=en)
2. [Clients & health records](https://help.healthbank.io/clients-health-records?hsLang=en)
October 21, 2026
# Can two clients use the same email address?
## No. Each client needs their own email address. You can’t add a dependant, such as a child, to another client’s account at the moment.
No. Each client needs their own email address. Every HealthBank account is linked to one email address, which keeps each person's health record private and makes sure reminders, forms and receipts reach the right person.
### Family members and dependants
- Each family member needs their own email address to have a HealthBank account.
- At the moment, you can't add a dependant, such as a child, to another client's account.
### If the email address is already in use
If you add a client whose email address already has a HealthBank account, you're connected to that existing account. Check you've entered the right person's email before you send the invitation.
**How to Create a Profile for a Dependent Client (Child or Family Member)**
HealthBank requires a unique email address to create each client profile. If you need to create a profile for a dependent — such as a child or family member who doesn’t have their own email address — you can use a simple email workaround that allows the parent or guardian to receive all communications while keeping each client’s records completely separate.
**The Email "+" Trick**
Most email providers (including Gmail, Outlook, and Hotmail) support “plus addressing,” which allows you to create a variation of an existing email address that still delivers to the same inbox.
For example, if a parent’s email is **janedoe@gmail.com**, you can create a dependent profile using:
**janedoe+child@gmail.com**
All emails sent to **janedoe+child@gmail.com** will be delivered directly to **janedoe@gmail.com** — no additional inbox or account setup required.
**How to set it up**
When creating a new client profile for the dependent, enter the parent or guardian’s email address with a “+” and the dependent’s name (or any identifier) added before the “@” symbol. For example:
- janedoe+emma@gmail.com
- janedoe+tom@gmail.com
- janedoe+son@outlook.com
Each variation creates a unique username in HealthBank while ensuring all appointment confirmations, reminders, and communications go directly to the parent or guardian’s inbox.
**A note on Microsoft email addresses (Outlook, Hotmail, Live)**
Personal Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Live accounts support plus addressing in the same way as Gmail. However, if your client uses a **Microsoft 365 business or organisation email**, plus addressing may not be enabled — this depends on their organisation’s settings and is outside their control.
In these cases, the best alternative is for the parent or guardian to create a **Microsoft email alias** — a separate email address linked to their existing account that delivers to the same inbox. Here’s how:
1. Log into their Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com
2. Go to **Your info \> Manage how you sign in to Microsoft**
3. Under **Email aliases**, select **Add email**
4. Create a new alias (e.g. janedoe.emma@outlook.com)
5. Use this alias email address when creating the dependent’s HealthBank profile
Microsoft allows up to 10 aliases per account (maximum 5 per year). All emails sent to the alias will arrive in the parent’s primary inbox.
**Important notes**
- This workaround applies to most major email providers but may not work with all providers — it’s worth confirming with the parent that they receive a test email before completing the setup
- Each dependent must have their own unique profile — do not add multiple clients to a single profile
- This is an interim solution while we develop native dependent profile functionality within HealthBank, which will allow dependents to be linked directly to a parent or guardian’s file without requiring a separate email address
If your client can't sign up because their email address is already in use, chat with us or [submit a request](https://help.healthbank.io/?enquiry=feedback&hsLang=en) and we'll sort it out.
See [How do I add a new client to HealthBank?](https://help.healthbank.io/how-do-i-add-a-patient-to-the-healthbank-platform?hsLang=en)
[Go to Clients in HealthBank →](https://dashboard.healthbank.io/app/clients)
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