Publication
SAFE Registration and the Public Services Card (PSC)
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Services and information
Departments and publications
About gov.ie
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
SAFE (Standard Authentication Framework Environment) Registration is the process used by the department to verify your identity when you apply for a Public Services Card (PSC).
You can use a PSC to prove your identity when accessing public services in Ireland. SAFE registration and your PSC can also protect against identity theft when accessing these services.
You must be resident in Ireland to get SAFE registered. A PSC will only be issued to an Irish address.
Your SAFE Registration appointment will take about 15 minutes to complete and usually takes place in a PSC/SAFE Registration Centre.
During this appointment:
If you are under 18 years of age and wish to get a PSC, you must bring your parent or guardian with you to your appointment.
An out-of-date card can still be used to:
If you want to renew your PSC you can do so:
You must attend a PSC Centre in person to have your name changed as a new signature will be required.
To change the name on your Public Services Card (PSC), you must show 2 years' usage of your new name. To do this, you must submit at least 2 of the following documents, dating back for at least 2 years:
To change your name on your PSC following a marriage or civil partnership, you must submit:
If you have a PSC in your married name and want to revert to using your pre-marriage or pre-civil partnership surname, you should attend a PSC Centre, and bring your current PSC. You do not need to provide current evidence of use and repute.
Your previous surname will already be known to the department because you will have already completed the SAFE registration process using your married name.
A deed poll is a signed document used to declare an intention to change your name. A deed poll states that you:
If you have changed your name by deed poll, you must submit:
The front of the PSC displays:
The back of the PSC displays:
If you qualify for free travel, you need to have a PSC because it is used to access the Free Travel Scheme.
If you are entitled to free travel your PSC will display one of the following codes in the top left-hand corner:
If your PSC is lost, stolen or damaged, you should immediately contact the Public Service Helpdesk: