Guidance: Rural Payments: registering and updating your details

What is the Rural Payments service?

The Rural Payments service is Defra’s online registration system for farmers, animal keepers and rural traders and businesses.

They can use it to register their details, see and update digital maps of their land and make online applications for certain rural grants and payments.

It can be used by any person or firm representing a farmer or farming business – such as a firm of agricultural agents.

Throughout the Rural Payments service, there is onscreen guidance which explains how to use it.

You must register on the Rural Payments service if you intend to keep farmed animals (or livestock) on your land or business premises.