Irish residents should have a valid Public Services Card (PSC) to access a range of public services in Ireland. The cards issued in or before November 2018 are valid for 7 years and 10 years for those issued in or after December 2018. It must be renewed before expiration. In this passage, we are going to talk about how to renew public service card in Ireland, when to renew it, how long it takes, and other concerning issues.
What Is a Public Services Card (PSC)
Irish public service card is one type of identification in Ireland with which cardholders can access social welfare benefits, public services, and certain information. The card owner’s name, photograph, signature, and expiry date are on the front of the card. Free Travel customers have extra “FT-P”, “FT+S”, or “FT+C” marks in the top left-hand corner, indicating whether an individual is personally entitled or allowed to travel along with a companion. A Personal Public Service (PPS) number, a card number, and a magnetic stripe on the back of the card.
When to Renew Public Service Card
Although an expired card can still be used to collect social welfare payments at the post office, access free travel entitlement, and create a MyGovID account, you are supposed to renew your PSC card in the following cases.
● The card will expire in 90 days.
● The card has expired.
● The card was issued when you were a child and you turned 18 or older.
● Your name has changed.
How to Renew Your Ireland Public Service Card
PSC card renewal can be done online or at a local safe registration centre.
Online
It will be done on MyWelfare, which is available to users aged at least 18, living in one of the 32 counties of Ireland, or planning to change the name and informing the authority of name change. Here are detailed instructions to renew public service card online.
● verified MyWelfare website and log in with a verified MyGovID account. New users should click on “Create Account” to register.
● Confirm personal information for the sake of security.
● Confirm your address so as to make sure your address does not change.
● Upload a recent photograph and required documents.
Local PSC/Safe Registration Centre
It is the most straightforward way to renew public service card in Ireland. You can find a nearby Public Services Card (PSC) centre with the PSC Centre Map and check detailed information about a specific office on gov.ie, such as appointment/walk-in service, contact information, and opening hours. Here is the list of Public Services Card (PSC) centres and branch offices in different counties or cities. All you need is to make an appointment or walk in directly with the required documents. Please note that availability and waiting time in branches with only walk-in service vary depending on the queue size and maximum daily slots.
| County | Branches | County | Branches |
| Carlow | Carlow Intreo Centre | Kerry | Cahirciveen Intreo Centre |
| Muine Bheag Branch Office | Dingle Intreo Centre | ||
| Tullow Branch Office | Dingle Intreo Centre | ||
| Cavan | Ballyconnell Branch Office | Kenmare Intreo Centre | |
| Cavan Intreo Centre | Killarney Intreo Centre | ||
| Clare | Ennis Intreo Centre | Listowel Intreo Centre | |
| Ennistymon Branch Office | Tralee Intreo Centre | ||
| Kilrush Branch Office | Kilkenny | Kilkenny Intreo Centre | |
| Tulla Branch Office | Rathdowney Branch Office | ||
| Cork | Bandon Branch Office | Leitrim | Carrick-on-Shannon Intreo Centre |
| Bantry Branch Office | Manorhamilton Intreo Centre | ||
| Carrigaline, Ballea Road PSC Centre | Limerick | Kilmallock Branch Office | |
| Clonakilty Branch Office | Limerick Intreo Centre | ||
| Cobh Intreo Centre | Newcastle West Intreo Centre | ||
| Cork City, Hanover Street PSC and PPS Number Centre | Longford | Longford Intreo Centre | |
| Fermoy Branch Office | Louth | Drogheda Intreo Centre | |
| Kinsale Branch Office | Dundalk Intreo Centre | ||
| Macroom Branch Office | Mayo | Achill Intreo Centre | |
| Mallow Branch Office | Ballina Intreo Centre | ||
| Midleton Branch Office | Ballinrobe Branch Office | ||
| Newmarket Branch Office | Belmullet Intreo Centre | ||
| Skibbereen Branch Office | Castlebar Intreo Centre | ||
| Youghal Branch Office | Claremorris Branch Office | ||
| Donegal | Ballybofey Branch Office | Swinford Branch Office | |
| Buncrana Intreo Centre | Westport Intreo Centre | ||
| Donegal Town PSC Centre | Meath | Kells Branch Office | |
| Dunfanaghy Intreo Centre | Navan Intreo Centre | ||
| Dungloe Intreo Centre | Trim Branch Office | ||
| Letterkenny Intreo Centre | Monaghan | Castleblayney Branch Office | |
| Dublin | Balbriggan Intreo Centre | Monaghan PSC Centre | |
| Ballyfermot Intreo Centre | Offaly | Birr Branch Office | |
| Ballymun Intreo Centre | Edenderry Intreo Centre | ||
| Bishops Square Intreo Centre | Tullamore Intreo Centre | ||
| Blanchardstown Intreo Centre | Roscommon | Boyle Branch Office | |
| Clondalkin Intreo Centre | Castlerea Branch Office | ||
| Coolock Intreo Centre | Roscommon Intreo Centre | ||
| Cork Street PPS Number and PSC Centre | Sligo | Sligo Intreo Centre | |
| D’Olier House PPS Number and PSC Centre | Tipperary | Cahir Branch Office | |
| Dublin Central PPS Number and PSC Centre | Carrick-on-Suir Branch Office | ||
| Dun Laoghaire Intreo Centre | Clonmel Intreo Centre | ||
| Finglas Intreo Centre | Nenagh Branch Office | ||
| Kilbarrack Intreo Centre | Roscrea Branch Office | ||
| Nutgrove Intreo Centre | Thurles Intreo Centre | ||
| Parnell Street Intreo Centre | Tipperary Branch Office | ||
| Swords Intreo Centre | Waterford | Dungarvan Branch Office | |
| Tallaght Intreo Centre | Waterford Intreo Centre | ||
| Galway | Ballinasloe Branch Office | Westmeath | Athlone Intreo Centre |
| Clifden Intreo Centre | Mullingar Intreo Centre | ||
| Galway Intreo Centre | Wexford | Enniscorthy Intreo Centre | |
| Gort Branch Office | Gorey Branch Office | ||
| Loughrea Intreo Centre | Wexford Intreo Centre | ||
| Tuam Branch Office | Wicklow | Arklow Intreo Centre | |
| Kildare | Athy Branch Office | Baltinglass Intreo Centre | |
| Newbridge Intreo Centre | Bray Intreo Centre | ||
| Laois | Portarlington Branch Office | Wicklow PSC Centre | |
| Portlaoise Branch Office |
Required Documents for Public Service Card Renewal
No matter when you renew public service card online or at a physical office, it is necessary to prepare all supporting documents in advance which are listed below.
● Proof of identity
It varies according to your citizenship.
| Identity | Acceptable documents |
| Ireland-born Irish citizens | ● Irish passport, or ● Irish or UK driving licence, or ● Irish learner driver permit |
| Northern Ireland-born Irish citizens or UK citizen | ● Valid passport, or ● birth certificate & driving licence |
| Naturalized Irish citizens | ● Irish passport, Certificate of Naturalisation, or foreign birth registration certificate ● Irish /UK driving licence, or Irish learner driving permit ● adoption certificate |
| EU/EEA citizens outside Ireland and the UK | ● passport, or ● national identity card |
| Non-EU/EEA citizens | ● passport, or ● 1951 travel document |
| Ukrainian customers | ● Passport ● Temporary protection letter |
| IPO customers | ● IPO (blue) card ● 3-page IPO document |
Supposing that you don’t have a passport or driving licence, you can verify your identity with an adoption certificate, Free Travel Pass, medical card, European Health Insurance Card, credit/debit card, student card, or other photo ID. However, baptismal certificates, work ID cards, Garda form ML-10, Garda Age Cards, photocopied certificates or documents, and expired documents are not acceptable.
● Proof of address
One of the following documents is allowed and it must show your name and address. It should be issued within the last 3 months.
➢ utility bill
➢ credit card bill or bank statement
➢ property lease or tenancy agreement
➢ confirmation of accommodation from a hotel or hostel administrator, school principal, property owner, or any third parties
➢ certified official letter or document
Applicants living in a friend’s or relative’s house can submit an original household bill with a note from whom the bill belongs to confirming their residence.
● Confirmation letter of appointment (if applicable)
Some local PSC centres might send a letter to applicants confirming the appointment. If you receive it, remember to bring it to attend the appointment.
● PSC card photo
A biometric photo helps to verify your identity. It must present your true appearance and has the same requirements as a passport photo, such as:
➢ plain light-coloured background
➢ full face visible
➢ even lighting without shadows
➢ a plain facial expression with eyes open and mouth closed
➢ head dimensions: 70-80% of the frame
➢ photo size: 35×45 mm to 38×50 mm, at least 450W x 600H pixels
➢ photo format: JPEG
➢ file size: maximum 5MB
● Proof of name change (if applicable)
The required documents vary depending on the reasons for the name change. If you change your name by use and repute, you have to prove you have used the new name for 2 years with at least 2 of the documents below.
➢ correspondence with official department
➢ educational certificate
➢ financial statement or bank card
➢ household utility bill
➢ student or employee ID card (or similar)
If you change your name by marriage or civil partnership, you must submit:
➢ a photo ID with previous name (i.e. PSC card, passport, or driving licence), and
➢ marriage or civil partnership certificate
If you want to return to your pre-marriage or pre-civil partnership name, bring the current PSC with the married name to the PSC Centre.
If you change your name by deed poll, the registered document with the Irish High Court is needed.
How Long Does PSC Renewal Take
The processing time differs from centre to centre which is determined by the number of PSC card renewal, completeness of required documents, online or in-person applications, etc. Generally speaking, it will take approximately 7-10 working days to receive a new public service card.
Bonus Tips: How to Create Photo for PSC Online
A digital photo is required when renewing the PSC card online. Besides taking a photo at a photo studio, pharmacy, or photo booth, you can also DIY a qualified picture at home with AiPassportPhotos. Take a head-and-shoulder photo in a well-lit place with the whole face visible and upload the photo on our AI ID photo generator.
Powered by AI technology, It can check photo compliance, resize photos, and replace backgrounds automatically, thus generating 100% acceptable digital PSC card photos. Plus, it supports over 150+formats, allowing you to create photo for passport, visa, driving licence, employment permit, etc. Upload any photo and get PSC photo now!
FAQ
Q: Do I need a public services card to renew my passport?
A: No, as long as you can present an alternative identity document, such as a driver’s licence.
Q: How long does a PSC appointment take?
A: It takes about 15 minutes during which you will submit a photograph and signature.
Q: What to do if my public service card is lost?
A: Please contact the Public Service Helpdesk at 0818 837000 as soon as possible.
Summary
The Irish public service card is a government-issued photo ID. You have to pay attention to the expiry date and renew it up to 90 days in advance. The PSC card renewal can be done online or at a local PSC centre. No matter which way you choose, submit all required documents, including a PSC card photo. We hope this guidance will help you renew public service card smoothly.
Erin Lo