Service
Get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Due to COVID-19, the department has temporarily postponed the current PPSN allocation process.
However, there may still be people in the State who require a PPSN in order to avail of services.
They can apply directly to the department for a PPSN by email.
You will also need to complete a REG 1 form.
To get a PPS Number, you will need to provide evidence of why you need a PPS Number:
- provide a copy of your photo identity document (Passport, Driving Licence, ID card). If you do not have valid documents, you should provide whatever ID documents that you do have
- proof of your address
The above documents need to be scanned/photographed and mailed or posted to:
PPSN Applications
Address:
PPSN Applications, CIS Registration, Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, N41 KD81
Email:
You should ensure that all the documents you are sending are legible.
The department will issue the PPSN by post to your address.
Please note that this service is only available to individuals who are living in Ireland.
A Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland.
You can find a list of State agencies that use PPS Numbers to identify individuals on this department's website.
A PPS Number is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters.
You can use your PPS Number for:
- all social welfare services
- the Free Travel Pass
- public health services, including the medical card and the Drugs Payment Scheme
- child immunisation
- schemes run by Revenue, such as mortgage interest relief
- housing grants
- Driver Theory Testing and driving licences
- the HSE's Civil Registration Service
To get a PPS Number, you will need to provide evidence of your identity and evidence of why you need a PPS Number. You must also provide proof of your address.
Evidence of your identity:
| If you are: | You will need to produce the following as evidence of your identity: |
| An Irish citizen born in the Republic of Ireland | The long version of your birth certificate and photographic ID, such as your passport or driving licence |
| An Irish citizen via naturalisation or Foreign Birth Registration | Your current passport or Certificate of Naturalisation OR your Foreign Birth Registration certificate AND Irish or UK driving licence or Irish learner driving permit |
| An Irish citizen born in Northern Ireland or a UK citizen | Current passport OR Your birth certificate showing your mother’s birth name AND current driving licence |
| EU citizens (other than Irish and UK) | Current passport or national identity card |
| Non-EU citizens | Current passport or 1951 Convention Travel Document |
The following are not acceptable as evidence of your identity:
- baptismal certificate
- employment identity cards or personal letters
- copies of certificates or documents
- expired documents (For Irish and UK citizens, passports expired within the last 12 months may be accepted)
Evidence of your address
You need to show evidence of your address. You can use any of the following documents to do this.
The document must show your name and address and not be older than 3 months:
- household utility bill
- an official letter or document
- a financial statement
- 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 plus a note from the bill holder confirming your residency at the bill address is acceptable. This note can be written on the bill itself.
PPS Numbers for children
- Children born in Ireland are usually given a PPS Number when their birth is registered with the General Register Office (GRO). This means you do not need to apply for a PPS Number for an Irish-born child. However, if the birth is not registered within 3 months, a parent or guardian must make an application.
- PPSNs for children living in, but not born in Ireland, must be applied for by the parent or guardian. One of the parents or guardians must have a PPSN for the child to be registered and linked with their data.
Child application
The parent, foster parent or guardian should complete attend the Application form (REG1M) for a PPSN for their child aged under 18, and provide evidence of:
- their own identity
- the identity of the child
- the requirement for a PPS Number
- the relationship between the parent or guardian and the child
Evidence of address should also be provided.
A person aged less than 18 years is considered to be a child for PPS Number allocation purposes.
Application Form for a Personal Public Service Number (PPS number) for an adult
Application form for a PPS Number (REG1)
DownloadApplication form for a Personal Public Service Number (PPS number) for a person who is under 18
Application form for a PPS Number for a child under 18 (REG1M)
Download
