Register and update your details with the Rural Payments Agency

The Rural Payments service may be unavailable because of planned maintenance and updates. You can check for maintenance and downtime.

If you apply for a rural grant or claim for a rural payment, you need an online account with the Rural Payments Agency. You’ll need to register for an account for yourself and your business to sign in to the Rural Payments service. You must keep your details up to date.

There’s a different process if you need to update digital maps of registered land. Read digital maps in the Rural Payments service: check and change your maps.

Using the Rural Payments service for the first time

Call the Rural Payments helpline to register for an account.

Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays
Find out about call charges

You’ll be given a customer reference number (CRN) and a 6-digit security code to set up a password. You can then access Rural Payments and finish creating your account online.

You’ll also need to register your business. You can do this after signing in to the Rural Payments service for the first time.

If you have 2 or more farming businesses, we may need to treat them as one business. This may apply even if you treat them as 2 separate businesses for other purposes, such as tax.

We may ask you to complete a ‘Separate Business Questionnaire (IACS26)’. This helps us understand the structure of your business.

Call the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301 if you need any help.

You’ll need to register the bank details of the account you use to claim payments. To do this sign in to the Rural Payments service to register, view or update your bank details.

Only those with Full Business or Make Legal Changes Permissions can register, view or update account details.

Do not send your bank account details by email or post.

You’ll need to wait 24 hours after you register your business before you can register your bank account details.