Can I use a photocopy of my passport for an ITIN?

No. The IRS does not accept regular photocopies. You must submit either the original passport, a certified copy from the issuing government agency, or have a Certifying Acceptance Agent verify your passport and submit a certification letter. If you use a CAA through itin.so, you keep your original passport and the CAA provides the required certification to the IRS.

What if I do not have a passport?

If you do not have a passport, you need to submit two or more documents from the IRS list that together prove your identity and foreign status. Common combinations include: national ID card plus birth certificate, foreign driver's license plus birth certificate, or US state ID plus civil birth certificate from your home country. Each document must be original or a certified copy from the issuing agency.

Do ITIN documents need to be translated into English?

No. The IRS accepts documents in any language. However, if your documents are not in English, the IRS may take longer to process your application because translation adds processing steps. While not required, including a certified English translation can speed up processing. Translations should be done by a qualified translator who certifies the accuracy of the translation.

Can I use an expired document for my ITIN application?

No. All identification documents must be current and unexpired at the time you submit your ITIN application. The only exception is for dependents under 18, where a birth certificate does not expire. If your passport or other ID has expired, you must renew it before applying for an ITIN. Expired documents are a common reason for ITIN application rejection.

What documents are accepted for dependents under 18?

Dependents under 18 years old have additional document options. In addition to the standard 13 documents, the IRS accepts medical records (for children under 6) and school records (for children under 18) as proof of identity and foreign status. These records must show the child's name, date of birth, and address. A birth certificate is typically required to prove the relationship between the dependent and the tax filer.

Will the IRS return my original documents?

Yes. The IRS returns all original documents after processing, but it takes 60 to 90 days from the date they receive your application. Documents are returned via standard mail with no tracking number. To avoid mailing originals, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent who verifies your documents in person and submits certified copies. You keep your originals throughout the process when using a CAA.

What is a certified copy of a document?

A certified copy is a copy of an original document that has been verified and stamped by the issuing agency (not a notary public). For example, a certified copy of a passport must come from the government agency that issued the passport. A certified copy of a birth certificate must come from the civil registry or vital records office. The IRS does not accept notarized copies. Only agency-certified copies and original documents are valid.

Can a Certifying Acceptance Agent verify my documents?

Yes. A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) is authorized by the IRS to verify identity documents for ITIN applications. The CAA reviews your original documents in person (or via a secure digital process), confirms their authenticity, and submits a certification letter to the IRS. This eliminates the need to mail original documents. itin.so uses IRS-authorized CAAs for both Standard and Express ITIN services.

How many documents do I need for an ITIN application?

If you have a valid passport, you need only 1 document (the passport serves as proof of both identity and foreign status). Without a passport, you need at least 2 documents that together prove your identity and foreign status. The IRS recommends submitting the strongest documents available. A passport plus one additional document (like a national ID card) creates the strongest application and reduces the chance of IRS correction requests.

Updated April 2026 | Source: IRS ITIN Application Instructions

13 Accepted ITIN Documents: Complete List 2026

The IRS accepts 13 types of identification documents for ITIN applications. A valid passport is the only single document that proves both identity and foreign status. Without a passport, you need at least 2 documents from this list. Every document must be original or a certified copy from the issuing agency. This guide details each of the 13 accepted documents, explains what each one proves, and helps you choose the strongest combination for your application.

Understanding ITIN Document Requirements

The IRS requires ITIN applicants to prove two things: identity (who you are) and foreign status (that you are not a US citizen or permanent resident eligible for an SSN). Some documents prove only identity, some prove only foreign status, and some prove both. Understanding what each document proves helps you select the right combination.

Document	Proves Identity	Proves Foreign Status	Standalone
1. Passport	Yes	Yes	Yes
2. National ID card	Yes	Yes	No
3. US driver's license	Yes	No	No
4. Foreign driver's license	Yes	Yes	No
5. Birth certificate	No	Yes	No
6. Foreign military ID	Yes	Yes	No
7. US military ID	Yes	No	No
8. US state ID card	Yes	No	No
9. US visa	Yes	Yes	No
10. USCIS photo ID	Yes	Yes	No
11. Foreign voter registration	Yes	Yes	No
12. Civil birth certificate	No	Yes	No
13. Medical/school records (under 18)	Yes	Yes	No

1. Passport (Strongest Document)

A valid passport is the only document that serves as standalone proof of both identity and foreign status. The IRS strongly recommends submitting a passport with your ITIN application. If you have a valid passport, you do not need any other identification documents. The passport must be current and unexpired. It must show your name, photograph, date of birth, country of citizenship, and passport number. Both machine-readable and non-machine-readable passports are accepted.

If you submit your original passport by mail, the IRS holds it for 60 to 90 days before returning it. To avoid being without your passport, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent who can verify your passport and submit a certification letter instead. Alternatively, you can obtain a certified copy from your country's consulate ($50 to $175).

2. National Identification Card

A national identification card issued by your home country proves both identity and foreign status. The card must show your name, photograph, date of birth, and country of issuance. It must be current and unexpired. Many countries issue national ID cards to their citizens, including Mexico (INE/IFE), India (Aadhaar), Brazil (RG), Colombia (cedula), and most European countries. The national ID card is the second-strongest document after a passport and is commonly used by ITIN applicants who do not want to mail their passport.

3. US Driver's License

A US driver's license proves identity but does not prove foreign status. You need to pair it with a document that proves foreign status (such as a birth certificate from your home country). The license must be current, unexpired, and issued by a US state or territory. Several states issue driver's licenses to individuals regardless of immigration status, including California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey. The license must show your name, photograph, date of birth, and address.

4. Foreign Driver's License

A driver's license issued by a foreign country proves both identity and foreign status. It must be current, unexpired, and show your name, photograph, date of birth, and the country of issuance. Foreign driver's licenses are commonly used as a second document alongside a passport or national ID card to strengthen an ITIN application. Not all countries issue driver's licenses with photographs. If your foreign license does not include a photo, it may not be accepted as an identity document.

5. Birth Certificate

A birth certificate proves foreign status (if issued by a foreign country) but does not prove identity on its own because it does not contain a photograph. You must pair a birth certificate with an identity document that includes a photograph, such as a national ID card or driver's license. Birth certificates are required for ITIN applications for dependent children under 18 to prove the family relationship. The birth certificate must be an original or certified copy from the civil registry or vital records office.

6. Foreign Military Identification Card

A military ID card issued by a foreign government proves both identity and foreign status. It must show your name, photograph, and country of issuance. Foreign military IDs are most commonly used by military personnel from countries with US military partnerships or by veterans of foreign armed forces who reside in the US. The card must be current and valid.

7. US Military Identification Card

A US military identification card proves identity but does not prove foreign status. You must pair it with a document proving foreign status. US military IDs are relevant for foreign nationals serving in the US military or for dependents of US military personnel who hold foreign citizenship. The card must be current and show your name and photograph.

8. US State Identification Card

A state-issued identification card (not a driver's license) proves identity but not foreign status. Pair it with a foreign birth certificate or other document proving foreign status. Many states issue non-driver ID cards to residents regardless of immigration status. The card must be current and unexpired, with your name, photograph, date of birth, and address.

9. US Visa

A US visa (stamped in your passport or as a standalone document) proves both identity and foreign status. The visa must be current and unexpired. All visa categories are accepted, including B-1/B-2 tourist visas, F-1 student visas, H-4 dependent visas, and others. Note that the visa alone does not prove your current immigration status if it has expired but you remain in the US on a different basis. For best results, submit the visa along with your passport.

10. USCIS Photo Identification

A photo identification document issued by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) proves both identity and foreign status. This includes the Employment Authorization Document (EAD card), Permanent Resident Card (green card), and travel documents. Note that if you have a green card or EAD, you may be eligible for an SSN instead of an ITIN. Check your SSN eligibility with our ITIN vs SSN decision guide before applying.

11. Foreign Voter Registration Card

A voter registration card issued by a foreign country proves both identity and foreign status. The card must include your name, photograph, and the country of issuance. Many countries issue voter registration cards as part of their electoral process, including Mexico (INE card, which doubles as a national ID), India (Voter ID card), and various African and South American countries. The card must be current and valid.

12. Civil Birth Certificate (from Civil Registry)

A civil birth certificate is a separate category from a standard birth certificate (document 5). The civil birth certificate is issued by a country's civil registry office and may contain additional information such as parents' names, registration number, and official stamps. Like the standard birth certificate, it proves foreign status but not identity (no photograph). Pair it with a photo ID document. Civil birth certificates are commonly used for Latin American ITIN applicants whose countries maintain detailed civil registry systems.

13. Medical Records and School Records (Dependents Under 18 Only)

Medical records are accepted for dependents under age 6. School records are accepted for dependents under age 18. These documents prove both identity and foreign status for minor dependents. The records must show the child's name, date of birth, and address. Medical records should come from a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office. School records should come from an educational institution and show enrollment or attendance. These are the most commonly used documents for dependent children who do not have passports.

Not Sure Which Documents to Use?

Our Certifying Acceptance Agents review your documents and confirm they meet IRS requirements before submission. Standard ($297) or Express ($297).

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Frequently Asked Questions About ITIN Documents

You need at least one document that proves both identity and foreign status. A valid passport is the only document that serves as standalone proof of both. If you do not have a passport, you need at least two documents from the IRS list of 13 accepted documents: one proving identity and one proving foreign status. All documents must be original or certified copies from the issuing agency. Notarized copies are not accepted.

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Learn more about the application process in our Form W-7 guide.