Performance appraisal systems are important tools in the management of employees. Performance appraisals help to define performance tasks and goals clearly, and facilitate organizational effectiveness. Organizations use performance appraisals in decisions related to promotion, demotion, dismissal, pay increase, fringe benefits, for the developmental needs of employees, in deciding training needs, and as a source of documentation for court cases. Although performance appraisals are used as a leverage to motivate employees and to some extent create some motivational bases, performance appraisals have also some detrimental impacts on the morale and motivation of employees, and may result in crowding out intrinsic motivation. This study explores to what extent the perception of performance appraisals affect public service motivation levels of Turkish distrcit governors.