Golden Key International Honour Society was founded on November 29, 1977 at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. It recognizes college students solely on the objective basis of their academic achievements. Today, more than 300 chapters in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and the U.S. Virgin Islands honor and reward over one million lifetime members.

In an effort to reflect the Society's diversity and international presence, Golden Key uses the globally accepted spelling of "honour" in its name.

The Board of Directors governs Golden Key, and the Academic Council, made up of volunteers from diverse academic backgrounds, preserves the Society's academic standards.

The Society maintains active membership in several organizations including the American Council of Education (ACE), the National Collegiate Honours Council (NCHC), the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA), the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and the Points of Light Foundation.

Golden Key is incorporated as a non-profit organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.