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

No. The IRS does not accept regular photocopies for ITIN applications. You must submit original documents or certified copies issued by the original issuing agency (such as a passport office or civil registry). A Certifying Acceptance Agent (authorized under IRS Pub 1915) can certify your documents using Form 13551 so you keep your originals.

What is the difference between a certified copy and a notarized copy for ITIN?

A certified copy is issued by the same agency that created the original document, such as a passport office or civil registry, and carries an official seal. A notarized copy is a photocopy verified by a notary public. The IRS accepts certified copies for ITIN applications. The IRS does not accept notarized copies. This distinction causes 15%+ of ITIN rejections.

Do I have to mail my original passport to the IRS for an ITIN?

Only if you apply by mail without a CAA. The IRS holds your passport for the full 6-11 week processing period and returns it within 60 days. To avoid this, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent who certifies your passport locally using Form 13551 (Certificate of Accuracy). You can also apply in person at 1 of 13 IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers.

What happens if my ITIN documents are incomplete?

The IRS sends a written notice (within 4-6 weeks) explaining what is missing. You have 45 days to respond with correct documents. Each correction cycle adds 4-8 weeks to processing time. An application that normally takes 6-11 weeks can stretch to 14-19 weeks with one round of corrections.

Can I use a foreign driver's license for my ITIN application?

Yes, but a foreign driver's license only proves identity, not foreign status. You must pair it with a second document that proves foreign status, such as a civil birth certificate or national ID card. A passport remains the simplest single-document option because it proves both identity and foreign status.

Do ITIN documents need to be translated into English?

Yes. Any document not in English must include a certified English translation. The translation must include a statement by the translator certifying accuracy and their qualifications. Certified translations cost $25-75 per document from professional translation services. The IRS rejects applications with untranslated foreign-language documents.

What documents prove foreign status for an ITIN?

7 of the 13 IRS-accepted documents prove foreign status: passport, national ID card, civil birth certificate (foreign-issued), foreign voter registration card, foreign military ID, US visa, and USCIS photo ID. The remaining 6 documents (US driver's license, foreign driver's license, US state ID, US military ID, medical records, school records) prove identity only.

Can I use medical or school records for an adult ITIN application?

No. Medical records are accepted only for dependents under age 6. School records are accepted only for dependents under age 18. Adults must use other documents from the 13-document list. The most common adult document combinations are passport alone, or national ID card plus birth certificate.

How does a CAA verify ITIN documents?

A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) authorized under IRS Publication 1915 examines your original identity documents, confirms they are genuine and meet IRS requirements, and issues Form 13551 (Certificate of Accuracy). This certificate is submitted to the IRS instead of your originals. The CAA program covers applicants from 150+ countries worldwide.

Updated May 2026

ITIN Documents Required: All 13 Accepted Documents (2026)

The IRS accepts 13 document types for ITIN applications. A valid, unexpired passport is the only single document that proves both identity and foreign status. Without a passport, you need at least 2 documents from the IRS list. Every document must be an original or a certified copy from the issuing agency per IRC Section 6109 and IRS Form W-7 instructions. The IRS does not accept notarized copies or regular photocopies. A Certifying Acceptance Agent (authorized under IRS Publication 1915) can certify your documents so you keep your originals.

13 IRS-accepted identity documents for ITIN applications: passport is only standalone document plus national ID birth certificate driver license voter registration military ID visa USCIS photo ID medical and school records — 13 documents accepted by the IRS for ITIN applications

What Are All 13 Documents the IRS Accepts for ITIN Applications?

The IRS accepts exactly 13 document types. Each proves identity, foreign status, or both. You must submit documents that collectively prove both. Review the full ITIN eligibility requirements before gathering documents.

#	Document	Proves Identity	Proves Foreign Status	Standalone?
1	Passport	Yes	Yes	Yes
2	National identification card	Yes	Yes	No
3	US driver's license	Yes	No	No
4	Civil birth certificate	No	Yes	No
5	Foreign driver's license	Yes	No	No
6	US state identification card	Yes	No	No
7	Foreign voter's registration card	Yes	Yes	No
8	US military identification card	Yes	No	No
9	Foreign military identification card	Yes	Yes	No
10	Visa issued by US Department of State	Yes	Yes	No
11	USCIS photo identification	Yes	Yes	No
12	Medical records (dependents under 6 only)	Yes	No	No
13	School records (dependents under 18 only)	Yes	No	No

Of the 13 documents, 7 prove both identity and foreign status (passport, national ID, foreign voter card, foreign military ID, US visa, USCIS photo ID, and civil birth certificate proves foreign status only). Only the passport works as a standalone document.

Why Is the Passport the Best Document for an ITIN Application?

A valid, unexpired passport is the strongest and simplest document choice for 3 reasons: it proves both identity and foreign status in 1 document, it is universally recognized by IRS reviewers, and it reduces the chance of rejection from mismatched document combinations.

Passport Requirements for ITIN

Must be current and unexpired at the time you submit Form W-7
Name must exactly match the name on your W-7 (including middle name)
Must be an original or certified copy from the issuing country's passport office
If applying by mail without a CAA, you must send the original (returned within 60 days)

Do not want to mail your passport?

Use a Certifying Acceptance Agent. A CAA verifies your passport in person or through a secure process and issues Form 13551 (Certificate of Accuracy). The IRS accepts this certificate instead of your original passport. At itin.so, our CAA team serves applicants from 150+ countries. Your passport never leaves your hands. Learn about the CAA program.

What Document Combinations Work Without a Passport?

Without a passport, you need at least 2 documents: 1 proving identity and 1 proving foreign status. Here are the 4 most common combinations that the IRS accepts.

Combination 1: National ID card + civil birth certificate

National ID proves both identity and foreign status. Birth certificate adds foreign status verification. This is the most common non-passport combination used by applicants from Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Combination 2: Foreign driver's license + civil birth certificate

Foreign driver's license proves identity only. Pair it with a civil birth certificate to prove foreign status. Both documents must show your current legal name and match the name on Form W-7.

Combination 3: US visa + national ID card

Both documents prove identity and foreign status. This works well for applicants who have entered the US on a valid visa (B-1/B-2, F-1, H-4, etc.) and have a national ID from their home country.

Combination 4: USCIS photo ID + civil birth certificate

USCIS photo identification proves both identity and foreign status. Adding a birth certificate provides extra foreign status documentation. This combination is common for immigrants with pending immigration cases.

What Is the Difference Between Certified and Notarized Copies?

The IRS draws a strict line between these 2 types. This distinction causes a large share of ITIN rejections every year.

Feature	Certified Copy	Notarized Copy
Issued by	Original issuing agency (passport office, civil registry)	Notary public
Contains	Official seal or stamp from issuing agency	Notary stamp and signature
IRS acceptance	Accepted	Not accepted
Typical cost	Varies by country ($10-50)	$25-100

If obtaining a certified copy is difficult, a CAA offers a practical alternative. The CAA reviews your original documents and issues Form 13551, which the IRS accepts instead of originals or certified copies. Learn how to complete Form W-7 for the full application walkthrough.

What Are the Most Common Document Mistakes That Cause ITIN Rejections?

The IRS rejects ITIN applications for 8 common document errors. Each rejection adds 4-8 weeks to your processing time.

Expired passport or ID. All documents must be current and unexpired at submission date.
Name mismatch. Name on documents must exactly match name on Form W-7, including middle names and suffixes.
Notarized copy submitted. The IRS does not accept notarized copies. Only certified copies from the issuing agency.
Regular photocopy submitted. Plain photocopies are rejected immediately.
Missing foreign status proof. Using only a US or foreign driver's license without a second document proving foreign status.
No English translation. Foreign-language documents require certified English translations ($25-75 per document).
Adult using child-only documents. Medical records (under 6) and school records (under 18) are for dependents only.
Missing address on passport. Some passports do not include an address. If required by IRS, supplement with another document.

How Does a CAA Help With ITIN Document Verification?

A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) is authorized by the IRS under Publication 1915 to verify identity and foreign status documents. Using a CAA eliminates the 2 biggest document problems: mailing originals and obtaining certified copies.

Document review. The CAA examines your original documents and confirms they meet all IRS requirements before submission.
Certificate of Accuracy. The CAA issues Form 13551 confirming document verification. This certificate replaces your original documents in the IRS submission package.
Application submission. The CAA prepares your complete Form W-7 package including the Certificate of Accuracy, tax return (if required), and supporting documents.

At itin.so, our CAA team reviews documents for applicants from 150+ countries. ITIN service ($297) includes CAA certification with 7-10 day prep. ITIN service ($297) includes 2-3 day prep. See our ITIN cost guide for full pricing details.

What Documents Do Dependents Need for an ITIN?

Dependents have 2 additional document options not available to adults.

Dependents Under Age 6

Can use medical records (vaccination records, hospital records) showing the child's name and date of birth as an identity document. Medical records prove identity only, so you still need a second document for foreign status (such as a birth certificate).

Dependents Under Age 18

Can use school records as an identity document. School records must show the dependent's name, date of birth, and be from an accredited institution. A birth certificate is still needed to prove foreign status. Read our guide for dependent and spouse ITINs.

ITIN Documents: Frequently Asked Questions

You need a completed Form W-7 and documents proving your identity and foreign status. A valid, unexpired passport is the only single document that proves both. Without a passport, you need at least 2 documents from the IRS list of 13 accepted documents: 1 proving identity and 1 proving foreign status. All documents must be originals or certified copies from the issuing agency.

Have your documents ready? Let our CAA team verify them and handle your application.

Start Your ITIN Application - $297

Not sure which documents you need? Check the full ITIN requirements or read the complete ITIN guide