ITIN Supporting Documents: Passport, Accepted IDs and Certified Copies
In this guide
Quick answer: ITIN supporting documents must prove your identity and foreign status, be originals or certified copies, and be unexpired when you submit. A valid passport is the only stand-alone document. Without one you need two documents, one for identity and one for foreign status, and at least one must show your photo. The IRS accepts 13 types.
Most rejected ITIN applications fail on the paperwork, not the form. The IRS is strict about which documents it takes, whether copies are certified and whether notarised copies are accepted. This guide sets out the rules from the IRS page on ITIN supporting documents. To see the application itself, read how to apply for an ITIN.
What must the documents prove?
Your package must prove your identity and your foreign status, meaning your connection to a country outside the US. For example, if you are from Mexico and live in the US, your documents must show your connection to Mexico. The documents must be original or certified copies and must not have expired on the date you submit your package.
Is a passport enough?
Yes. A valid original passport or certified copy proves both identity and foreign status, and it is the only stand-alone document. You then need nothing else, with one exception: a dependent applicant needs proof of US residency, and a passport that shows a date of entry into the US can provide it.
What if you have no passport?
Submit two supporting documents, one to prove identity and one to prove foreign status. One must show your photo, except for dependents under age 14 (or under 18 if a student).
| Proves identity or foreign status | Proves identity only |
|---|---|
| USCIS photo identification | US driver’s licence |
| Visa issued by the US Department of State | US military identification card |
| Foreign military identification card | Foreign driver’s licence |
| National identification card | US state identification card |
| Foreign voter’s registration card | |
| Civil birth certificate (required for applicants under 18 without a valid passport)* | |
| Medical records (dependents under 6)* | |
| School records (dependents under 24 if a student)* |
*These can prove foreign status only if the documents are foreign.
What do dependents need?
Dependent ITIN applicants claimed for certain tax benefits must also provide proof of US residency, unless they are from Canada or Mexico or are dependents of US military personnel stationed overseas. A dependent from Canada or Mexico does not need proof if listed on a return for tax years 2017 or earlier, or claimed for any allowable benefit except the credit for other dependents. For that credit, proof of US residency is required.
| Applicant age | Documents that can prove US residency (with the passport) |
|---|---|
| Under 6 | US medical record, US school record, US state ID card or US visa |
| 6 to under 18 | US school record, US state ID card, US driver’s licence or US visa |
| 18 or older | US school record (only if under 24), US state ID, US driver’s licence or US visa; or a US bank statement, rental statement or utility bill for a US property showing the applicant’s name and address |
Electronic school or medical records, bank statements, utility bills and rental statements that you receive and print count as originals.
What is a certified copy?
A certified copy is an exact copy that the original issuing agency provides and certifies, with the agency’s official stamped seal. US embassies and consulates overseas also provide certification and authentication services; contact the Consular Section in advance.
The IRS does not accept notarised documents. The only exception is dependents and spouses of US military personnel applying from an overseas or APO/FPO address, who may submit notarised copies of identification documents together with a copy of the servicemember’s military ID.
How do you submit the documents?
- By mail: the IRS returns your documents to the address on line 2 of Form W-7. It can take up to 60 days to get them back. If you need them sooner, consider certified copies or applying in person.
- In person: you can get most documents authenticated and returned at the end of your appointment.
Documents must be complete and free of blemishes, or your application may be rejected. If more than 60 days pass after you mailed originals, contact the IRS.
Common mistakes
- Sending expired documents.
- Sending a notarised copy instead of a certified one.
- Submitting two identity-only documents with none that proves foreign status.
- Forgetting proof of US residency for a dependent.
- Mailing an original passport without planning for up to 60 days without it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a photocopy of my passport?
Only a certified copy from the issuing agency is accepted, not an ordinary photocopy.
Is a driver’s licence enough?
No. A US or foreign driver’s licence proves identity only. You also need a document that shows foreign status.
Do renewals need these documents too?
Yes. The IRS says you need supporting documents when you apply for or renew an ITIN. See how to renew an ITIN.
Key takeaways
- A valid passport is the only stand-alone document.
- Without one, submit two documents: one proving identity, one proving foreign status.
- Use originals or agency-certified copies; the IRS does not accept notarised copies in general.
Related guides
- How to apply for an ITIN
- How to renew an ITIN
- SSN vs ITIN
- Documents needed to move abroad
- Your first 90 days in a new country
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
Internal Revenue Service: ITIN supporting documents.