The Public Services Card (PSC) is a plastic identity card that proves you have been through SAFE registration — Ireland's in-person identity verification process. It is linked to your PPS number and contains a chip with biometric data.
You cannot apply for a PSC online. You must attend an in-person appointment at a DSP Intreo centre with your identity documents. The card is then posted to you within a few weeks.
Once you have a PSC, you can use it to set up a verified MyGovID account, which gives you access to Passport Online, Revenue MyAccount, and a growing range of Irish government digital services.
What is a Public Services Card?
What it is, what it contains, and what it does
What is SAFE registration?
The identity verification system behind the PSC
PSC vs MyGovID — what is the difference?
How the card and the digital identity platform connect
Is the PSC mandatory?
What the law says and when you can refuse