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Ireland public Services Card photo requirements

The photo rules set by Department of Social Protection for the Ireland public Services Card, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 5 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the Ireland public Services Card photo requirements?

For a first card no photo is brought: it is taken at a SAFE registration appointment, or captured as a selfie in the MyGovID app (age 16 or over with a current Irish passport book). To renew online, upload a recent photo taken within the last 6 months by someone else, without glasses.

The Public Services Card (PSC) is issued by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). The front shows the name, photograph, signature and expiry date, and the back shows the PPS number and a card number.

There are three ways the photo is captured: at a PSC centre during SAFE (Standard Authentication Framework Environment) registration, as a selfie in the MyGovID app, or by upload when renewing online on MyWelfare.ie.

Ireland public Services Card photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Department of Social Protection:[1]

Digital sizeMyWelfare publishes no pixel size or file-size limit
Head heightHead, shoulders and chest, with space between the person and the edge of the photo
BackgroundPlain and light-coloured; no patterned or panelled backgrounds
ColourFull colour, even lighting, no shadows
Photo ageTaken within the last 6 months (online renewal)

In the official words

Exact wording from the official sources, quoted because the details matter:

During this appointment your photograph will be taken and your signature recorded for your new Public Services Card, which will be posted to your home address.

Citizens Information: Public Services Card[1]

Your selfie and signature will appear on your Public Services Card.

Department of Social Protection: MyGovID app[2]

You must not wear glasses in the photo.

MyWelfare: Renew your Public Services Card[3]

Your photo must be taken by someone else. Please do not take a selfie

MyWelfare: Renew your Public Services Card[3]

Key requirements

  • SAFE registration centre

    The photo is taken and the signature recorded at the appointment, which takes about 15 minutes. Bring evidence of identity, evidence of address no more than 6 months old, the appointment letter and a mobile phone. The card is posted, usually in 7-10 working days, to an Irish address only.

  • MyGovID app

    For people resident in Ireland, aged 16 or over, with a current Irish passport book (passport cards are not accepted) and a basic MyGovID account. The selfie is checked for liveness and matched against the photos on the passport and its chip. If the selfie quality is unsuitable for the card, the person may have to attend a DSP office to have a photograph taken.

  • Online renewal eligibility

    Via MyWelfare.ie with a verified MyGovID account, if the card is due to expire in the next 45 days or has expired, the person is 18 or over, lives in any of the 32 counties of Ireland and has told the Department of any change of name.

  • Online renewal photo

    Plain light-coloured background; head, shoulders and chest only; full colour, even lighting, no shadows; looking directly at the camera with face and eyes fully visible; neutral expression with mouth closed; no glasses; no filters or enhancement; not blurry, pixelated or low resolution; taken within the last 6 months by someone else; no selfie and no photo of a photo.

  • Photo age and driving licence

    The NDLS does not allow online learner permit or driving licence services if the PSC photograph is over 10 years old.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a plain, light-coloured background
  • Show only head, shoulders and chest, with space around
  • Look directly at the camera with face and eyes fully visible
  • Use full colour and even lighting
  • Have someone else take the photo

Don't

  • Wear glasses, including clear glasses
  • Take a selfie or upload a photo of a photo
  • Use patterned or panelled backgrounds
  • Apply filters or digital enhancement
  • Upload a blurry, pixelated or low-resolution photo

Glasses

Not allowed in the online renewal photo, including clear glasses. This is stricter than the Irish passport rules.

Babies and children

Online renewal is for people aged 18 or over. The MyGovID app route is for people aged 16 or over.

Digital upload only for online renewal; MyWelfare publishes no pixel size or file-size limit and checks the uploaded photo against its guidelines. At a PSC centre the photo is taken for you.

Where to submit the photo

At a PSC or SAFE registration centre (usually a local Intreo centre; appointment, though some centres have a walk-in service), in the MyGovID app, or by upload on MyWelfare.ie when renewing online.

How to get your Ireland public Services Card photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Ireland public Services Card: plain and light-coloured background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: sAFE registration centre; myGovID app; online renewal eligibility; online renewal photo.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Digital upload only for online renewal; MyWelfare publishes no pixel size or file-size limit and checks the uploaded photo against its guidelines. At a PSC centre the photo is taken for you.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. At a PSC or SAFE registration centre (usually a local Intreo centre; appointment, though some centres have a walk-in service), in the MyGovID app, or by upload on MyWelfare.ie when renewing online.

Ireland public Services Card photo FAQ

No. During the appointment at a PSC centre, your photograph is taken and your signature recorded for your new Public Services Card. Bring your identity and address documents, your appointment letter and your mobile phone instead.

No. MyWelfare's photo guidelines say you must not wear glasses in the photo. That includes clear glasses, which is stricter than the Irish passport rules.

No. MyWelfare says the photo must be taken by someone else, and you must not upload a photo of a photo. The selfie taken in the MyGovID app is different: it is part of first-time online registration, not renewal.

You can renew on MyWelfare if you have a verified MyGovID account, your card is due to expire in the next 45 days or has already expired, you are 18 or over, you live in any of the 32 counties of Ireland, and you have told the Department about any change of name since your last card. You can also renew at a PSC centre.

Cards issued up to November 2018 are valid for 7 years, and cards issued after November 2018 for 10 years. Cards urgently renewed during the COVID-19 public health emergency may only be valid for 3 years.

The NDLS says you cannot apply online for learner permit or driving licence services if your PSC photograph is over 10 years old.

The Department of Social Protection says that if your application is not approved, you may have to attend one of its offices, for example to have your photograph taken if the quality of your selfie is not suitable to appear on your PSC.

Related photo specifications

Other Ireland documents

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Official sources

  1. Citizens Information. Public Services Card citizensinformation.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Department of Social Protection. MyGovID app gov.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. MyWelfare (Department of Social Protection). Renew your Public Services Card services.mywelfare.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. MyWelfare (Department of Social Protection). Get a Public Services Card services.mywelfare.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Frequently asked questions ndls.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Department of Social Protection before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Ireland public Services Card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/ireland/public-services-card-photo

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