--- title: "Create a Database Master Key | Microsoft Docs" ms.custom: "" ms.date: "03/14/2017" ms.prod: "sql-server-2016" ms.reviewer: "" ms.suite: "" ms.technology: - "database-engine" ms.tgt_pltfrm: "" ms.topic: "article" helpviewer_keywords: - "database master key [SQL Server], creating" ms.assetid: 8cb24263-e97d-4e4d-9429-6cf494a4d5eb caps.latest.revision: 16 author: "BYHAM" ms.author: "rickbyh" manager: "jhubbard" --- # Create a Database Master Key This topic describes how to create a database master key in [!INCLUDE[ssCurrent](../../../includes/sscurrent-md.md)] by using [!INCLUDE[tsql](../../../includes/tsql-md.md)]. **In This Topic** - **Before you begin:** [Security](#Security) - [To create a database master key using Transact-SQL](#TsqlProcedure) ## Before You Begin ### Security #### Permissions Requires CONTROL permission on the database. ## Using Transact-SQL #### To create a database master key 1. Choose a password for encrypting the copy of the master key that will be stored in the database. 2. In **Object Explorer**, connect to an instance of [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../../includes/ssde-md.md)]. 3. On the Standard bar, click **New Query**. 4. Copy and paste the following example into the query window and click **Execute**. ``` -- Creates a database master key for the "AdventureWorks2012" database. -- The key is encrypted using the password "23987hxJ#KL95234nl0zBe." USE AdventureWorks2012; GO CREATE MASTER KEY ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = '23987hxJ#KL95234nl0zBe'; GO ``` For more information, see [CREATE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)](../../../t-sql/statements/create-master-key-transact-sql.md).