{ "$schema": "https://govschema.org/spec/v0.2/govschema.schema.json", "govschemaVersion": "0.2.0", "id": "ie/dsp/pps-number-application", "version": "1.0.0", "title": "Ireland Personal Public Service (PPS) Number Application", "description": "Apply for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number, the identifier an individual needs to interact with Irish social welfare, tax, health, education, and other public services. This document models the standard adult (18+) self-application, covering both the online channel (MyWelfare, requiring a MyGovID account) and the paper REG1 form used for postal and third-party applications, for applicants resident on the island of Ireland and applicants resident abroad. A PPS Number issued automatically at Irish birth registration, a child (under-18) application on Form REGM1, and a third party's own submission workflow are out of scope for this document. It does not submit the application; the live gov.ie source is always authoritative (see VERIFICATION.md).", "status": "draft", "jurisdiction": { "country": "IE", "level": "national" }, "authority": { "name": "Department of Social Protection", "abbreviation": "DSP", "url": "https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection/" }, "process": { "type": "application", "language": "en-IE" }, "source": { "url": "https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/get-a-personal-public-service-pps-number/", "retrievedAt": "2026-07-01", "documentRef": "REG1" }, "verification": { "method": "manual-source-review-v1", "lastVerifiedAt": "2026-07-01", "verifiedBy": "GovSchema Engineering", "nextReviewBy": "2027-01-01", "notes": "Source-derived reference schema authored from the gov.ie 'Get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number' page (which supersedes the previously catalogued 'how-to-apply-for-a-personal-public-service-pps-number' URL — that path now 404s and has been corrected here and in discovery/catalog.json) and Form REG1 (edition 00K 04-22, April 2022), extracted directly from the REG1 PDF's text streams. Application channel (online via MyWelfare/MyGovID vs. postal/third-party via REG1), residency branching (resident on the island of Ireland vs. resident abroad), the REG1 item set (items 1-19 across its two pages), the identity-evidence categories by citizenship basis, and the 'reason for application' options were all confirmed against the source. Status remains 'draft'. See VERIFICATION.md." }, "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "fields": [ { "name": "applicationChannel", "label": "How will you apply?", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "online = apply through MyWelfare using a basic or verified MyGovID account, available to applicants resident on the island of Ireland and applicants resident abroad; by_post = complete and post Form REG1 to the Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim, N41 KD81 — the channel used for third-party (solicitor, accountant, employer) applications and where MyGovID is not available.", "sourceRef": "How to Apply", "validation": { "enum": ["online", "by_post"] } }, { "name": "residency", "label": "Where do you live?", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "resident_in_ireland = resident on the island of Ireland; resident_outside_ireland = resident abroad and applying to interact with an Irish state agency (e.g. Revenue). Determines whether the overseas questionnaire and third-party consent form are required.", "sourceRef": "How to Apply / Applying for a PPS Number if you are living outside Ireland", "validation": { "enum": ["resident_in_ireland", "resident_outside_ireland"] } }, { "name": "title", "label": "Title", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "mr, mrs, ms, or other (specify in titleOther).", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 1 — Title, insert an X or specify", "validation": { "enum": ["mr", "mrs", "ms", "other"] } }, { "name": "titleOther", "label": "Title, if 'other'", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Required only when title is 'other'.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 1 — Title, insert an X or specify", "validation": { "maxLength": 40 } }, { "name": "surname", "label": "Surname", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 2 — Surname", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "firstNames", "label": "First names", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 3 — First names", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "birthFirstNames", "label": "First names at birth (if different)", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only if your first names at birth differ from your current first names.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 4 — Birth first names", "validation": { "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "birthSurname", "label": "Surname at birth (if different)", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only if your surname at birth differs from your current surname.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 5 — Birth surname", "validation": { "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "mothersBirthSurname", "label": "Mother's birth surname", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Used as an identity-verification question.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 6 — Mother's birth surname", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "dateOfBirth", "label": "Date of birth", "type": "date", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 7 — Date of birth" }, { "name": "gender", "label": "Gender", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. The REG1 form (edition 00K 04-22) offers only male/female.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 8 — Gender", "validation": { "enum": ["male", "female"] } }, { "name": "addressLine1", "label": "Address — line 1", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 9 — Address", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 120 } }, { "name": "addressLine2", "label": "Address — line 2 (optional)", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 9 — Address", "validation": { "maxLength": 120 } }, { "name": "addressTown", "label": "Address — town or city", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 9 — Address", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 80 } }, { "name": "addressCounty", "label": "Address — county", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Applies to Irish addresses; leave blank for a non-Irish address.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 9 — Address (County)", "validation": { "maxLength": 60 } }, { "name": "eircode", "label": "Eircode", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Irish routing-key postcode, e.g. 'D02 AF30'. Applies to Irish addresses only.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 9 — Address (Eircode)", "validation": { "pattern": "^[A-Za-z0-9]{3} ?[A-Za-z0-9]{4}$" } }, { "name": "addressCountry", "label": "Address — country", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required for both Irish and overseas addresses.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 9 — Address", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 60 } }, { "name": "mobilePhone", "label": "Mobile telephone number", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. International format recommended, e.g. +353851234567.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 10 — Telephone numbers (Mobile)", "validation": { "maxLength": 20 } }, { "name": "landlinePhone", "label": "Landline telephone number", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 10 — Telephone numbers (Landline)", "validation": { "maxLength": 20 } }, { "name": "email", "label": "Email address", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required in practice for the online channel, where it is tied to the MyGovID account.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 11 — Email address", "validation": { "maxLength": 254 } }, { "name": "reasonForApplication", "label": "Why do you need a PPS Number?", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "employment = to take up employment; driving_licence = to apply for or exchange a driver's licence; social_welfare_payment = to apply for a Social Welfare payment; register_birth_of_child = to register the birth of your child; safe_pass_training = to complete SAFE PASS training to work in construction; education_enrolment = to register for a course in a school or college; irish_passport_application = to apply for an Irish passport (if resident in the State); marriage_and_residence = you intend to marry and reside in the State after marriage; specified_body_service = to access a service from a Public (Specified) Body; other_public_service = to access another public service not listed; other = another reason, detailed in reasonOtherDetail.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 12 — Why do you need a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number?", "validation": { "enum": [ "employment", "driving_licence", "social_welfare_payment", "register_birth_of_child", "safe_pass_training", "education_enrolment", "irish_passport_application", "marriage_and_residence", "specified_body_service", "other_public_service", "other" ] } }, { "name": "reasonOtherDetail", "label": "Reason detail, if 'other'", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Required only when reasonForApplication is 'other'.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 12 — Why do you need a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number?", "validation": { "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "nationality", "label": "Nationality", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 13 — Nationality", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 60 } }, { "name": "countryOfBirth", "label": "Country you were born in", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 14 — Country you were born in", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 60 } }, { "name": "countyOfBirthInIreland", "label": "If born in the Republic of Ireland, which county?", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only when countryOfBirth is Ireland.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 15 — If born in the Republic of Ireland, please state which county you were born in", "validation": { "maxLength": 60 } }, { "name": "mostRecentPriorCountry", "label": "Most recent country, before Ireland, where you were employed, educated, registered, or received a pension/benefit/allowance", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Applies only to applicants who lived elsewhere before Ireland.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 16 — Name of the most recent country, before the Republic of Ireland, in which you were employed, educated, registered or from which you were receiving a pension, benefit payment or allowance", "validation": { "maxLength": 60 } }, { "name": "mostRecentPriorCountryIdentifier", "label": "Social security, personal, or registration number in that country", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only when mostRecentPriorCountry is provided.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 17 — Social security, personal or registration number in that country", "validation": { "maxLength": 40 } }, { "name": "irishNationalInsuranceNumberPre1979", "label": "Irish National Insurance Number (if you lived or worked in the Republic of Ireland up to 1979)", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Legacy identifier predating the PPS Number system.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 18 — If you lived or worked in the Republic of Ireland up to 1979, please state your Irish National Insurance Number", "validation": { "maxLength": 20 } }, { "name": "previousIrishAddress", "label": "Previous address in Ireland", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Personal identifier; handle as sensitive data. Required only if you previously lived in Ireland.", "sourceRef": "REG1 item 19 — If you previously lived in Ireland, please state your address", "validation": { "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "identityBasis", "label": "Which identity-evidence category applies to you?", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "irish_citizen_born_in_ireland; irish_citizen_born_in_northern_ireland_or_uk; irish_citizen_by_naturalisation; irish_citizen_by_foreign_birth_registration; eu_eea_citizen_other (EU/EEA citizen other than Irish/UK); non_eu_eea_citizen. Determines which document(s) satisfy identityDocument.", "sourceRef": "Rules — Evidence of your identity", "validation": { "enum": [ "irish_citizen_born_in_ireland", "irish_citizen_born_in_northern_ireland_or_uk", "irish_citizen_by_naturalisation", "irish_citizen_by_foreign_birth_registration", "eu_eea_citizen_other", "non_eu_eea_citizen" ] } }, { "name": "identityDocument", "label": "Proof of identity (document)", "type": "file", "required": true, "description": "The accepted document depends on identityBasis: irish_citizen_born_in_ireland = current Irish passport, or current Irish/UK driving licence or Irish learner permit (checked against General Register Office birth records; a birth certificate is requested only if no record is found); irish_citizen_born_in_northern_ireland_or_uk = current passport, or birth certificate plus a current full driving licence or Irish learner permit; irish_citizen_by_naturalisation = current Irish passport or Certificate of Naturalisation bearing a photograph; irish_citizen_by_foreign_birth_registration = current Irish passport, or Foreign Birth Registration Certificate plus an Irish/UK driving licence or Irish learner permit; eu_eea_citizen_other = current passport or national identity card; non_eu_eea_citizen = current passport or 1951 travel document.", "sourceRef": "Rules — Evidence of your identity" }, { "name": "addressEvidenceDocument", "label": "Proof of address (document)", "type": "file", "required": true, "description": "A document showing your name and address, dated within the last 3 months: a household utility bill, an official letter or document, a bank statement, a property lease or tenancy agreement, an official letter from a government department or agency, or official third-party confirmation of address.", "sourceRef": "Rules — Evidence of your address" }, { "name": "reasonEvidenceDocument", "label": "Evidence of why you need a PPS Number (document)", "type": "file", "required": false, "description": "Required for applicants resident outside Ireland (residency = resident_outside_ireland); recommended for others where the reason is not otherwise evident, e.g. a letter from an employer.", "sourceRef": "Applying for a PPS Number if you are living outside Ireland" }, { "name": "overseasApplicantQuestionnaireDocument", "label": "Completed overseas applicant questionnaire (Form RM2)", "type": "file", "required": false, "description": "Required when residency is resident_outside_ireland.", "sourceRef": "Applying for a PPS Number if you are living outside Ireland — a completed questionnaire [RM2]" }, { "name": "authoriseThirdPartyToReceiveNumber", "label": "Should the PPS Number be given to a third-party representative (e.g. solicitor or accountant)?", "type": "boolean", "required": false, "description": "Relevant mainly to applicants resident outside Ireland. If true, thirdPartyConsentDocument is required.", "sourceRef": "Applying for a PPS Number if you are living outside Ireland — a consent form signed by you" }, { "name": "thirdPartyConsentDocument", "label": "Signed third-party consent form (document)", "type": "file", "required": false, "description": "Required when authoriseThirdPartyToReceiveNumber is true.", "sourceRef": "Applying for a PPS Number if you are living outside Ireland — a consent form signed by you" } ], "steps": [ { "id": "channel_and_residency", "title": "Application channel and residency", "fields": ["applicationChannel", "residency"], "next": "applicant_identity" }, { "id": "applicant_identity", "title": "Name, birth details, and identity", "fields": [ "title", "titleOther", "surname", "firstNames", "birthFirstNames", "birthSurname", "mothersBirthSurname", "dateOfBirth", "gender" ], "next": "contact_details" }, { "id": "contact_details", "title": "Address and contact details", "fields": [ "addressLine1", "addressLine2", "addressTown", "addressCounty", "eircode", "addressCountry", "mobilePhone", "landlinePhone", "email" ], "next": "reason_and_background" }, { "id": "reason_and_background", "title": "Reason, nationality, and residence history", "fields": [ "reasonForApplication", "reasonOtherDetail", "nationality", "countryOfBirth", "countyOfBirthInIreland", "mostRecentPriorCountry", "mostRecentPriorCountryIdentifier", "irishNationalInsuranceNumberPre1979", "previousIrishAddress" ], "next": "evidence" }, { "id": "evidence", "title": "Supporting evidence", "fields": [ "identityBasis", "identityDocument", "addressEvidenceDocument", "reasonEvidenceDocument", "overseasApplicantQuestionnaireDocument", "authoriseThirdPartyToReceiveNumber", "thirdPartyConsentDocument" ] } ] }