How to get a Public Services Card (PSC)

You can apply for a Public Services Card (PSC) in two ways:

• you can apply online using the “MyGovID – Verify My Identity Ireland” app

or

• you can make an appointment and attend at your local PSC Centre

Holders of a current Irish passport can apply for a Public Services Card (PSC) online via MyGovID - Verify your Identity App.

The MyGovID app allows you to verify your identity using your smartphone.

You can download the My GovID App, for free, onto your Apple or Android smartphone.

This service is available if you:

• are resident in Ireland
• hold a current Irish passport
• are aged 16 years and over
• have a basic MyGovID account
• have not gone through the SAFE Registration process previously

Once your online application has been approved, users of the app will receive:

• a Public Services Card (PSC) in the post (within 7-10 working days)
• a verified MyGovID account

To make a Public Service Card (PSC) appointment you need to contact your local PSC Centre directly. If you don’t have access to email, you can contact us by phone and we will email your local PSC centre to arrange an appointment on your behalf.

If your local PSC Centre offers a walk-in service, you will need to go to the centre during the times specified.

You can find contact details to make an appointment and to check opening hours for walk-in centres on the Public Service Card (PSC) Centres page.

When going to your appointment, you will need to provide your Personal Public Service (PPS) Number and some personal details.

You must be living in Ireland to receive a PSC.

You will need to bring:

• the letter confirming your appointment (if you received one)
• your Social Services Card (if you have one)
• documents to prove your identity
• documents to prove your address
• your mobile phone (if you have one). If you bring your mobile phone with you, your phone number can be verified by the department. You need a verified mobile phone to access public services online

Documents to prove your identity

If you are an Irish citizen born in Ireland:

• your current valid Irish passport

or

• your current valid Irish or UK driving licence or Irish learner driver permit (if you have one)

For all people born in Ireland, SAFE officers search for a record in the Register of Births, held by the General Register Office (GRO), to verify a person’s identity details. Where no record can be found in the Register of Births, SAFE officers will contact GRO to verify identity details provided by the person.

Where no record can be found after contacting GRO, the person will be asked to provide their birth certificate** to allow their birth details to be verified.

SAFE officers do not have access to adoption records and will not know whether a person is adopted unless the person chooses to provide that information.

If you are an Irish citizen born in Northern Ireland or a UK born citizen:

• your current valid passport

or

• your birth certificate and your current full driving licence or your Irish Learner Permit (if you have one)

If you are an Irish citizen through naturalisation:

• your current valid Irish passport

or

• Certificate of Naturalisation (with your photograph on it)

If you are an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration:

• your current valid Irish passport

or

• your Foreign Birth Registration Certificate and your Irish or UK driving licence or Irish learner driving permit (if you have one)

If you are an EU/EEA citizen (other than Irish and UK):

• your current valid passport

or

• national identity card

If you are a Non-EU/EEA citizen:

• your current passport

or

• 1951 travel document

If you are a Ukrainian customer:

• current valid passport and temporary protection letter

If you are an International Protection (IPO) customer:

• IPO (blue) card and 3-page IPO document

If you don’t have a passport or driving licence

You may still be able to get a PSC. You should contact your local PSC Centre before you arrive. They will give you more information about what documents you can provide to help verify your identity.

Other helpful documents

If you have any of the items listed below, please bring them to your appointment as they may help to confirm your identity:

• medical card
• European Health Insurance Card
• credit/debit card and statement from financial institution
• student card
• evidence from Revenue of employment
• Free Travel Pass

If you do not have any of these, you should bring any other supporting documents or any other form of photo ID you have.

Documents which are not accepted

The following items are not accepted as proof of identity:

• baptismal certificate
• work ID card
• Garda form ML-10
• Garda Age Card
• photocopied certificates or documents

Evidence of your address

You will be asked for evidence of your Irish address at your appointment.

Your evidence of address document must show your name and full address and must be dated within the last 6 months. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• a household utility bill
• an official letter/document from a government department
• a financial statement
• a property lease or tenancy agreement
• confirmation of address by a third party such as a hotel or hostel administrator or manager, school principal or property owner

If you are staying with friends or relatives, an original household bill and a note from the bill holder is allowed. This note confirming that you live there can be written on the bill itself.

Attending the PSC centre

When you attend the PSC Centre, your identity will be verified. This is known as SAFE Registration. It will take around 15 minutes.

During SAFE registration your:

• your photograph will be taken
• your signature will be recorded

If you are unable to attend your appointment

If you have made an appointment and you will not be able to attend, you should notify the centre as soon as possible so that the appointment can be offered to another person.

After you have attended the PSC centre and completed the SAFE registration process, your Public Services Card (PSC) will be posted to you. This will take 7-10 working days.

A PSC can only be sent to an Irish address.

An out-of-date card can still be used to:

• avail of your free travel entitlement (this is an interim measure)
• set up a MyGovID account

If you want to renew your PSC you can do so:

• online at MyWelfare.ie or
• at your local Public Service Card (PSC) Centre

Comprehensive guide to SAFE registration and the Public Services Card

If you have a question on this process, you can send us an enquiry or contact the Public Services Card helpdesk.