ITIN supporting documents

When you apply for or renew an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), you’ll need to submit supporting documents. Find requirements, documents we accept and ways to submit them.

Requirements for supporting documents

The supporting documents in your ITIN application package must:

Prove your identity and foreign status
Be original documents or certified copies
Be current, not expired on the date you submit your ITIN application package

Dependent applicants, with certain exceptions, must also submit proof of U.S. residency.

Foreign status

Foreign status is your connection to a country outside the U.S.

For example: If you’re from Mexico and live in the U.S., your supporting documents must show your connection to Mexico.

Acceptable documents

We accept 13 documents to prove identity and foreign status.

Submit a passport or two supporting documents.

A passport

You can submit an original valid passport or a certified copy.

A passport proves identity and foreign status

A passport is the only stand-alone document. If you submit an original valid passport or certified copy, you don’t need to submit any other supporting documents.

Dependents applicants: A passport with a date of entry into the U.S. also proves U.S. residency. Otherwise, provide with the passport another document as proof of U.S residency.

Two supporting documents

If you don’t have a valid passport, you must submit two supporting documents:

One to prove identity
Another to prove foreign status

One document must show your photo. Exceptions: Dependents under age 14 (or under age 18 if a student).

Documents that prove identity or foreign status

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification
Visa issued by the U.S. Department of State
Foreign military identification card
National identification card
Foreign voter’s registration card
Civil birth certificate (required for applicants under age 18 without a valid passport)*
Medical records (for dependents under age 6)*
School records (for dependents under age 24 if a student)*

*May be used to prove foreign status only if documents are foreign.

Documents that prove identity only

U.S. driver’s license
U.S. military identification card
Foreign driver’s license
U.S. state identification card

Proof of U.S. residency for dependents

Dependent ITIN applicants may be eligible for certain allowable tax benefits.

Applicants who are claimed as dependents for these benefits must provide proof of U.S. residency, unless they’re:

From Canada or Mexico
A dependent of U.S. military personnel stationed overseas

Dependents from Canada or Mexico

Proof of U.S. residency isn’t required if the dependent is either:

Listed on a tax return for tax years 2017 or earlier
Claimed for any allowable tax benefit except the credit for other dependents (ODC)

If a dependent from Canada or Mexico is claimed for the ODC, proof of U.S. residency is required.

Documents that provide proof of U.S. residency

A valid passport that has a date of entry into the U.S. can be used as proof of U.S. residency.

If you don’t have a passport with a date of entry into the U.S., one of these original* documents can be used with the passport as proof of U.S. residency:

Under age 6: U.S. medical record, U.S. school record, U.S. state identification card or U.S. visa that meets all supporting document requirements.
Age 6 to under 18: U.S. school record, U.S. state identification card, U.S. driver’s license or U.S. visa that meets all supporting document requirements.
Age 18 or older: U.S. school record (only if under age 24), U.S. state identification card, U.S. driver’s license or U.S. visa that meets all supporting document requirements; U.S. bank statement, U.S. rental statement or U.S. utility bill for a U.S. property that lists the applicant’s name and U.S. address.

*An electronic school record, medical record, bank statement, utility bill or rental statement that you receive and print will be considered original.

Additional document requirements

Passport

A passport is considered current only if the expiration date hasn’t passed before the date the Form W-7 is submitted.
A certified copy of a passport must include all U.S. visa pages if a visa is required for your Form W-7 application.
Dependent applicants under age 18 who don’t have a valid passport must submit an original civil birth certificate.
Dependent applicants who need proof of U.S. residency can use a passport with a date of entry into the U.S. Otherwise, provide another document as proof of U.S. residency.

National identification card

A national identification card is considered current only if the expiration date hasn't passed before the date the Form W-7 is submitted.
It must show applicant name, photo, address and birthdate and card expiration date.

Civil birth certificate

A civil birth certificate is considered current at all times because it does not have an expiration date.
It may be used to prove foreign status only if the certificate is foreign.
If the applicant is under age 18 and hasn’t provided a valid passport, an original civil birth certificate is required.

Medical records

For dependents under age 6.

A valid medical record must include all of this information:

Official document such as a shot or immunization record or a dated and signed letter from a medical provider on official letterhead outlining the dates of care*
Child’s name, birthdate and address. (If proof of U.S. residency is required, the record must show a U.S. address.)
Doctor’s name and medical facility’s address where the care was provided. (If proof of U.S. residency is required, the record must show a U.S. address)
A date of medical care no more than 12 months from the date the ITIN application is submitted.

*You can use a combination of official documents to cover all requirements.

Electronic medical records you receive and print will be considered original.

To determine if a record is acceptable, use the Medical/School records checklist.

School records

For dependents under age 24.

A valid school record must include all of this information:

Official document such as a report card, transcript or a dated and signed letter from a school official on official letterhead outlining record of attendance or coursework with grades.*
Student’s name and address. (If proof of U.S. residency is required, the record must show a U.S. address.)
School name and address. (If proof of U.S. residency is required, the record must show a U.S. address.)
School term dates ending no more than 12 months from the date the ITIN application is submitted.

*You can use a combination of official documents to cover all requirements.

Electronic school records you receive and print will be considered original.

To determine if a record is acceptable, use the Medical/School records checklist.

Certified copies of documents

A certified copy is an exact copy of the original document that the original issuing agency provides and certifies. It has the agency’s official, stamped seal.

You can submit certified copies of original documents if you have:

The original issuing agency certify the original document. Contact them for details.
Officers at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas provide certification and authentication services. Contact the Consular Section, American Citizens Services of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in advance for hours of operation for these services.

We don’t accept notarized documents. Notarized documents are signed in front of a civil official called a notary public. The notary confirms the signer’s identity, witnesses and records the signing and may add a seal or their signature to validate the document.

Exception: Dependents and spouses of U.S. military personnel may submit original documents, certified copies or notarized copies of identification documents if they’re applying from an overseas or APO/FPO address. A copy of the servicemember’s U.S. military ID is required if the documents are notarized.

How to submit documents

Make sure your supporting documents are complete and clear of blemishes before you submit them. Otherwise, your ITIN application may be rejected.

To submit documents, include them with your ITIN application package and either:

Apply by mail. We’ll return your supporting documents to the mailing address on line 2 of your Form W-7. It can take up to 60 days to get them back. If you need your original documents sooner, consider submitting certified copies or apply in person.
Apply in person. You can get most supporting documents authenticated and returned at the end of your appointment.