Personal Public Service (PPS) number

Your Personal Public Service (PPS) number is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland.

A PPS number is always 7 numbers followed by either one or 2 letters. It is sometimes called a PPSN.

You have a PPS number if:

• You were born in Ireland in or after 1971
• You started work in Ireland after 1979
• You are getting a social welfare payment
• You are taking part in the Drugs Payment Scheme

PPS numbers are printed on the following documents:

• Public Services Card
• Tax Assessment
• PAYE Notice of Tax Credits
• Temporary Payment Card

If you do not know your PPS number, contact your Intreo Centre or local Social Welfare Branch Office and staff there can find your number for you.

I have the same PPS number as my husband

If your PPS number is the same as your husband’s PPS number, but the last letter is W, you must get a new PPS number in the following circumstances:

• Your spouse is deceased
• You are divorced or separated
• You were issued with a Social Insurance number before 1979

You can contact Client Identity Services in the Department of Social Protection (see contact details below) for help. Read more about the phasing out of W Numbers on Gov.ie.

You need your PPS number to use certain public services. Only certain services are allowed to ask for your PPS number.

For example, if you are starting work, you need a PPS number to register with the Revenue Commissioners. However, when you are looking for work, employers should not ask for your PPS number when recruiting. An employer should only ask for your PPS number when you are actually taking up employment with the company.

You need your PPS number for:

• All social welfare services
• The Free Travel Pass
• Registering for a course in a school or college
• Public health services, including the medical card and the Drugs Payment Scheme
• Child immunisation
• Schemes run by the Revenue Commissioners, such as mortgage interest relief
• Housing grants
• Driver theory testing and driving licences

If you are unsure whether a particular organisation, person or agent is allowed to ask for (or use) your PPS number, contact Client Identity Services in the Department of Social Protection (see contact details below).

To get a PPS number, you must show proof of:

• Your identity
• Your address
• Why you need a PPS number (if you are not living in Ireland or Northern Ireland)

Proof of your identity

Proof of your address

You must show proof of your address using any of the following documents (the document must show your name and address and not be older than 3 months):

• A household utility bill
• An official letter or document
• A bank statement
• Property lease or tenancy agreement
• Official confirmation of address by a third party, such as a hotel or hostel administrator or manager, a school principal or administrator, or accommodation or property owner*

*If you are staying with friends or relatives, you can use an original household bill, plus a note from the bill holder confirming your residency at the bill address. This note can be written on the bill itself.

If you change your address

If you have your PPS number and a verified MyGovID then you can update your address using MyWelfare.ie.

If you change your address and you don't have a verified MyGovID, you should write to the DSP giving your name, PPS number, old and new address, and proof of your new address (such as a utility bill). The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will then update your record.

You can scan your completed forms and post them to Client Identity Services (see address below).

A person who is under 18 years of age is considered a child for PPS number applications.

Children born in Ireland are given a PPS number if their birth is registered with the General Register Office (GRO) within 3 months of their birth. In this case, you do not need to apply for your child’s PPS number.

You must apply for a child’s PPS number if:

• The child’s birth is not registered within 180 days
• The child is born in Ireland and both parents’ addresses are outside Ireland
• The child is living in Ireland, but not born in Ireland

One of the parents or guardians must have a PPS number for the child to be registered and linked with their data.

Apply online

If you have a MyGovID account, you can apply online for a PPS number on MyWelfare for:

• An adult
• A child

If you are applying for a PPS number for you and your child, you can apply for both at the same time in the same application.

If you are applying for a PPS number for a child, you need to provide proof of:

• Your own identity
• Your address
• The child’s identity
• Why the child needs a PPS number
• The relationship between you (the parent or guardian) and the child

To apply online on MyWelfare.ie, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a basic MyGovID account
• Fill in the online application form
• Attend your in-person appointment at a PPS number allocation centre (if you live on the island of Ireland)

In-person appointment

If you are living in Ireland or Northern Ireland, the DSP will contact you with details of your in-person appointment at a PPS number allocation centre. You need to bring your supporting documents (photo ID) with you to this appointment.

When the application process is completed, you will get a Public Services Card by post with your PPS number on it.

You must attend your in-person appointment to complete your online application.

How to apply for a PPS number if you live outside Ireland

If you live outside Ireland and need a PPS number for an interaction with a specified body in Ireland, you can apply for a PPS number online at MyWelfare if you have a basic MyGovID account. For example, if you are a beneficiary under an Irish will, you may need a PPS number before a grant of probate can issue.

You should fill in the application form online and upload:

• A copy of your photo identity document (current passport, driving licence, ID card, etc.) If you do not have valid documents, you should provide whatever ID documents you do have
• Proof of why you need a PPS number
• Proof of your address

If you are applying for a PPS number for a child, you need to provide proof of:

• Your own identity
• The child’s identity
• Why the child needs a PPS number
• The relationship between you (the parent or guardian) and the child
• Your address

The documents you upload must be easy to read.

You cannot apply for a PPS number if you intend to relocate to Ireland - you must wait until you are in Ireland to apply for your PPS number. Read our page about PPS numbers for returning Irish emigrants and their families.

Paper application

If you can't use the online system, you can download the PPS number application form (REG1) to apply for a PPS number by post (the email service is no longer available). If you are applying for a child, download an application form for a PPS number for a child under 18 years of age (REG1M) (pdf).

You must provide:

• Proof of your address
• Proof of your identity
• The reason you need a PPS number
• A consent form signed by you if the PPS number is to be given to a third party representative, for example, a solicitor or accountant
• A completed questionnaire (pdf)

Applications submitted by third parties (e.g. solicitors, accountants) on behalf of a customer can still be submitted by post or by email to cis@welfare.ie.

Find more information about applying for a PPS number from outside Ireland on Gov.ie.

How do I get a PPS number for a person who has died?

Sometimes, a PPS number may be needed for a person who has died, usually when dealing with grant of probate.

In these cases, you should send a copy of the death certificate and details about why you need the PPS number to the DSP's Client Identity Services (see contact details below).