A relay apparatus includes a storage unit, a first reception unit, a first request unit, a second reception unit, a second request unit, a third reception unit, and an access unit. The storage unit stores, for each user, authorization information for accessing a service providing apparatus. The first reception unit receives from a client apparatus an access request including a request for access to the service providing apparatus and identification information for identifying the user. The first request unit issues an acquisition request for the authorization information to a different relay apparatus. The second reception unit receives authorization information transmitted from the different relay apparatus. The second request unit requests the different relay apparatus to update the received authorization information. The third reception unit receives updated authorization information transmitted from the different relay apparatus. The access unit accesses the service providing apparatus by using the received updated authorization information.