Getting a PPS number abroad is quiet easy. If you’re currently a non-resident working abroad, the good news is you don’t have to attend a PPS Number Allocation Centre, and can be done online by completing the Online Enquiry Form to contact Client Identity Services. There is also the option of calling the Client Identity Services from abroad on +353 71 967 2616 in order to have the necessary forms sent to you via post.

Proof of identity

Proof of identity is a vitally important aspect of the registration procedure and must be established before a PPS Number is allocated. Documents presented may be held for authentication. The following are the prescribed documents to accompany a PPS Number application:

Irish National born in the Republic of Ireland

Birth or Adoption Certificate, Valid Photographic Identification e.g. Passport or Current Valid Full Irish or UK Driving Licence and Evidence of Address in Ireland.

Irish national born in Northern Ireland and UK citizens

Passport or Birth Certificate, Valid Photographic Identification e.g. Current Valid Irish or UK Driving Licence and Evidence of Address in Ireland.

EU Nationals and Other EEA Citizens (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)

Current Valid Passport or National Identity Card and Evidence of Address in Ireland

Non EEA National

Current Valid Passport or Current Valid 1951 Travel Document and Evidence of Address in Ireland

Please note that the following documents are not acceptable as proof of identification:

Baptismal Certificates
Employment Identity Cards or Personal Letters
Photocopies of any certificates or documents
Expired documents *

Acceptable proof of address documents

Any one the following documents below are acceptable as proof of address along with your PPS number application. All proofs provided must show the customer’s name and address:

a household utility bill
an official letter/document
financial statement
property lease or tenancy agreement
verifiable employer’s letter **
confirmation of address by a third party such as a school principal/administrator, accommodation/property owner *** or manager

PPS number notification

Following successful registration, all customers will receive their new number through the issue of a letter of notification sent automatically to the address given on the application form within 3 to 5 working days. This letter is also proof of identification when dealing with a number for transactions with specified public service bodies such as the Revenue, employment, Driving Licence.

* Irish and UK citizens passports expired within the last 12 months may be accepted

** It is not necessary that the employer owns/provides the address accommodation.

*** Where an applicant is staying with friends/relatives an original household bill plus a note from the bill holder confirming residency at the bill address is acceptable. This note can be written on the bill itself.

How to get PPS number abroad