What Is a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) for ITIN?

What are the key facts about Certifying Acceptance Agents?

10 data points every ITIN applicant needs to know about CAAs:

How much does a Certifying Acceptance Agent charge for ITIN?

Most Certifying Acceptance Agents charge between $50 and $275, with a minority of firms charging $500 or more for complex cases. What you pay depends on how much of the work the agent does — document review alone sits at the bottom of that range, full Form W-7 preparation in the middle. At itin.so, the CAA fee is $197 for Standard service (7-10 business day preparation) or $297 for Express (2-3 business day preparation with WhatsApp support and a money-back guarantee). Both packages are all-inclusive: document verification, Form W-7 preparation, CAA certification (Form 13551), and IRS submission, with no hidden add-on fees.

What is an acceptance agent for a passport?

This is a different program than the IRS CAA. A “passport acceptance agent” (or Passport Acceptance Facility) is authorized by the US State Department to accept new passport applications— unrelated to taxes. If you searched for this term while trying to get an ITIN, you want an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent instead, which is what this page covers: an agent authorized under IRS Publication 1915 to verify your existing documents for a tax ID application.

What does a Certifying Acceptance Agent do?

The IRS created the CAA program to make ITIN applications easier and more secure. A CAA performs 3 core functions under the authority of IRS Publication 1915:

1. Document verification. The CAA examines your original identity and foreign status documents (passport, national ID, birth certificate, or any of the 13 IRS-accepted documents) to confirm they are genuine, unexpired, and meet IRS standards.
2. Form W-7 preparation. The CAA completes IRS Form W-7 accurately, ensuring every line matches your documents and the correct reason-for-applying box is checked per IRC Section 6109.
3. Application submission. The CAA packages your Form W-7, Certificate of Accuracy (Form 13551), tax return (if required), and any supporting documents, then submits the complete package to the IRS ITIN Operation in Austin, Texas.

How do you become a Certifying Acceptance Agent?

To become a CAA you apply directly to the IRS using Form 13551, the Application to Participate in the IRS Acceptance Agent Program. The IRS accepts applications year-round and typically approves them in 6-8 weeks. There are 6 steps:

1. Obtain a PTIN. You need a Preparer Tax Identification Number from the IRS before applying.
2. Complete IRS Form 13551. This is the formal application to join the Acceptance Agent Program. Indicate whether you are applying as an Acceptance Agent or a Certifying Acceptance Agent.
3. Pass a suitability check. The IRS runs a background check, including fingerprinting, and reviews your own tax compliance history.
4. Complete the mandatory training. This covers the IRS ITIN e-learning course and forensic document training on detecting fraudulent identity documents.
5. Pass the CAA certification requirements. You must demonstrate competence in Form W-7 procedures and document verification protocols.
6. Submit and await IRS approval. Approved agents sign an agreement with the IRS, receive a CAA identification number, and must renew certification periodically to stay active.

If you are looking to use a CAA rather than become one, apply for your ITIN through our CAA service — we handle the certification so your passport stays with you.

Why should you use a CAA instead of mailing your passport?

The single biggest reason applicants choose a CAA is document security. When you apply by mail without a CAA, you must send your original passport to the IRS processing center in Austin, Texas. The IRS returns documents within 60 days, but during that time you cannot travel internationally or use your passport for identification.

How does the Certificate of Accuracy work?

With a CAA, your passport never leaves your hands. The CAA verifies your documents and issues IRS Form 13551 (Certificate of Accuracy), which the IRS accepts as proof that a trained, authorized agent has confirmed document authenticity. The form includes the CAA's IRS-assigned identification number, their signature, and details of each document verified.

What additional benefits does a CAA provide?

How do CAAs verify your identity documents?

The document verification process follows strict IRS guidelines outlined in Publication 1915. 4 steps from document presentation to certification:

1. In-person or secure remote review. You present your original documents to the CAA. Many CAAs offer in-person meetings, while others (including itin.so) use secure video verification for remote clients in 150+ countries.
2. Authenticity check. The CAA inspects each document for signs of tampering, confirms it is unexpired, and verifies that the information matches across all documents and your Form W-7.
3. Certificate of Accuracy. After verification, the CAA completes IRS Form 13551, certifying that they have reviewed the original documents and found them to be authentic. This form is signed by the CAA and includes their IRS-assigned CAA number.
4. Document return. Your original documents are returned to you immediately after verification. They are never mailed to the IRS.

Which 13 documents does the IRS accept for ITIN?

The IRS accepts these 13 identity documents per Form W-7 instructions. A passport is the only single document that proves both identity and foreign status:

For detailed information on each document, see our ITIN documents required guide and the Form W-7 completion guide.

How do you find a Certifying Acceptance Agent?

The IRS maintains an official directory of all authorized CAAs. You can search by US state or by country for international agents. The directory lists each CAA's name, location, and contact information.

What should you look for when choosing a CAA?

• Do they offer remote document verification for international applicants?
• What are their fees? (Typical range: $50-$275. itin.so: $197-$297)
• Do they prepare the entire Form W-7, or only certify documents?
• How long have they maintained active CAA certification?
• Do they provide post-submission support if the IRS sends Notice CP567?
• Do they offer support in your language? (itin.so: English and Spanish)
• Do they include a money-back guarantee? (itin.so Express: yes)

Many CAAs work with clients across the country and internationally. You do not need a local CAA if they offer secure remote verification. Compare options on our ITIN service comparison page.

How does a CAA compare to mailing your passport or visiting an IRS office?

You have 3 ways to submit an ITIN application. Here is how they compare across 8 factors:

For most applicants, a CAA offers the best combination of document security, convenience, and application accuracy. The $197-$297 fee is a small cost compared to a rejected application, lost passport, or months of delays from Form W-7 errors.

What does the itin.so CAA service include?

itin.so partners with IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents to provide complete ITIN application services to clients in 150+ countries. Every application includes:

• Full document verification and Certificate of Accuracy (Form 13551)
• Complete Form W-7 preparation and error checking
• Review of all 13 IRS-accepted identity document types
• Submission of your entire application package to the IRS
• Post-submission tracking and status updates (WhatsApp for Express)
• Assistance responding to any IRS notices (CP567, CP565)

How do Standard and Express CAA services compare?

See our full ITIN cost breakdown or compare with other providers on our service comparison page.

Related ITIN resources

• How to get an ITIN number - step-by-step application guide
• ITIN requirements - eligibility under IRC Section 6109
• ITIN documents required - 13 accepted identity documents
• ITIN processing time - 6-11 week IRS timeline
• What is an ITIN - complete ITIN explainer
• ITIN for Amazon sellers - CAA process for e-commerce
• ITIN for freelancers - CAA process for independent contractors
• ITIN renewal guide - renew expired ITINs for $97
• ITIN FAQ - 20 common questions answered