Get an ITIN without mailing your passport to the IRS

A desk with scattered papers, including a tax form, a notebook, a pen, and a red pencil on a white wooden surface.

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Individual Tax Identification Numbers for non-US citizens

The Internal Revenue Service’s ITIN program allows certain foreign citizens who are not eligible for a Social Security Number to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to use for filing tax returns (and a few other things, like opening a US bank account).

Normally, obtaining or renewing an ITIN involves mailing your passport and other original identity documents to the IRS, which will leave you without your documents for weeks or months. But I’m authorized by the IRS to review documents on their behalf and certify their authenticity, allowing you to send copies to the IRS and keep your originals.

There are four steps:

  1. Fill out my online form and upload copies of your IDs.

  2. Schedule an appointment for verification of your documents – depending on the documents you’re using, this might be online or in person. (Check this link for in-person appointment availability).

  3. I mail the completed W-7 form (the ITIN application), W-7-COA certificate of accuracy, and certified copies of your identity documents to the IRS with your tax return or other supporting documentation. (If we meet virtually, you’ll need to mail me the physically signed originals of form W-7 and your tax return.)

  4. You (and I) should receive a letter informing you of your new or renewed ITIN within 9 to 11 weeks. If we sent a tax return with your application, it will be processed after the ITIN.

Ready to apply for your ITIN?

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The standard processing time for applications submitted from outside the US is 9 to 11 weeks. You can check the IRS’ Processing Status for Tax Forms page for more details.

  • In many cases, yes! I have to be able to access a certified copy of the ID from the issuing government’s website or app. This is possible for Mexican voter IDs (INEs) issued after 2019, Mexican and Venezuelan birth certificates, and most forms of Brazilian ID. (It doesn’t work for passports, unfortunately.)

    Virtual verification is not available if you are applying for an ITIN for a dependent.

  • If it’s been more than seven weeks and you haven’t received your ITIN, you can call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 if you are in the United States or 267-941-1000 (not a toll-free number) if you are outside the United States.

  • I charge $210 USD (or the equivalent in pesos) for preparing the application and certifying your documents. There is no fee from the IRS to obtain an ITIN.

  • Credit and debit cards, cash (dollars or Mexican pesos), Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Wise, and bank transfers in the US, Mexico, and Europe. If there’s a different method you’d like to use let me know and I’ll see what we can do!

  • Yes, but you’ll need to mail your original passport (or other identity documents) to the IRS, or apply in person at an IRS service center in the US.

  • Yes! Click here to learn about tax preparation and consulting services.

(Are you a U.S. Citizen helping someone apply for an ITIN? Don’t forget that you are entitled to vote in federal elections no matter what country you live in – make sure you’re registered and don’t forget to request your ballot every year!)