Form W-7: How to Complete and Submit It to the IRS

How Do I Submit a W-7 to the IRS?

You submit Form W-7 to the IRS in 3 ways: by mail, in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center, or through a Certifying Acceptance Agent. The IRS charges $0 for each method. Follow these 5 steps:

1. Complete Form W-7. Download the fillable PDF from IRS.gov. Enter your name and address, then check 1 reason box (a through h).
2. Gather your documents. Attach a valid passport, which proves identity and foreign status alone. Without a passport, attach 2 of the 13 accepted documents.
3. Attach your tax return. Include Form 1040 or 1040-NR unless you qualify for an exception (boxes c, d, e, g, h).
4. Sign in ink. Sign and date the form. A parent signs for a dependent under 18. The IRS rejects unsigned forms.
5. Send it. Mail the package to IRS, ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342, visit 1 of 13 IRS TACs, or use a CAA.

For a line-by-line walkthrough of every field, see our Form W-7 line-by-line guide. For the full application process, read how to get an ITIN number.

Can Form W-7 Be Filed Electronically?

No. The IRS does not accept Form W-7 electronically as of 2026. No e-file portal exists, no fax submission exists, and no email option exists. The IRS requires a physical signature and original or certified identity documents, which rules out digital submission.

This limitation applies to every applicant and every reason for applying. A Certifying Acceptance Agent still submits your paper Form W-7 to the IRS, but the CAA verifies your documents first, so you keep your passport instead of mailing it.

Can I Fill Out or Submit a W-7 Form Online?

You can fill out Form W-7 online, but you cannot submit it online. The IRS publishes a fillable PDF at IRS.gov that you complete on screen, then print and sign. The signed paper form and your documents travel by mail or in person, never through a website.

Third-party services let you complete Form W-7 through an online questionnaire. These services still print, certify, and mail the physical application to the IRS. The online step speeds up preparation, but the IRS receives paper in every case.

What Documents Do I Need to Send With the W-7 Form?

You send 1 of 13 IRS-accepted documents that prove both identity and foreign status. A valid passport satisfies both requirements by itself. Without a passport, you send 2 documents from the accepted list. This table shows the most common combinations:

The IRS requires originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Notarized copies and plain photocopies are rejected. See the complete list in our ITIN documents guide. Most applicants also attach a federal tax return, covered in our ITIN tax return guide.

How Much Does It Cost to File a W-7?

The IRS charges $0 to file Form W-7. Self-filing costs only postage and any certified-copy fees. A Certifying Acceptance Agent adds a service fee to prepare the form, certify your documents, and submit the application. This table compares your 3 options:

itin.so charges $197 for Standard service and $297 for Express service. See the full breakdown in our ITIN cost guide.

Can I Apply for an ITIN by Myself?

Yes. You can complete and submit Form W-7 yourself for $0 in IRS fees. Self-filing works well for applicants with a valid passport and a straightforward tax situation. Self-filing carries 2 trade-offs you should weigh:

• You mail your original passport or a certified copy to Austin, Texas, and wait up to 60 days for its return.
• You receive no document review, so name mismatches and wrong reason boxes trigger a rejection that adds 4 to 8 weeks.

A Certifying Acceptance Agent removes both trade-offs. The CAA verifies your documents so you keep your passport, and the CAA reviews Form W-7 before submission. Learn the difference in our Certifying Acceptance Agent guide. Renewing an existing ITIN uses the same form: see our ITIN renewal guide.