Do I have to mail my original passport to the IRS to get an ITIN?
Not if you apply through an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). The CAA authenticates your passport, and the original never goes to the IRS. For dependents, a CAA can authenticate only a passport or a birth certificate. The IRS usually takes about 7 weeks to process an application. An ITIN doesn't exempt you from withholding. What it does is let you file a return, claim a refund and claim tax treaty benefits.
- Keep it
- Your original passport stays with you when you apply through a CAA
- ~7 weeks
- Typical IRS processing time for an ITIN application
- 2 documents
- What a CAA can authenticate for dependents: passport and birth certificate
- W-7
- The ITIN application, usually filed with a federal tax return
At a glance
- Apply through a CAA and your original passport stays with you. The CAA authenticates it and certifies the copy.
- For dependents, a CAA can authenticate only a passport or birth certificate. Any other document goes to the IRS as an original or certified copy.
- The IRS usually takes about 7 weeks, and longer during filing season or for applications from abroad. Plan ahead.
- An ITIN doesn't exempt you from withholding. It lets you file, get refunds and claim treaty benefits.
- The application is Form W-7, usually filed together with a federal return.
What is an ITIN, and who needs one?
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a tax ID the IRS issues to people who have a U.S. tax filing need but aren't eligible for a Social Security number. It's for tax purposes only.
The most common cases:
- Nonresidents abroad with a U.S. rental, a U.S. home sale or other U.S.-source income who must file Form 1040-NR.
- Foreign spouses of U.S. citizens or green card holders, when the couple files jointly or the spouse needs to be listed on the return.
- Dependents, such as children or parents without an SSN, who are listed on a U.S. return.
- Foreign individuals claiming tax treaty benefits.
- Students and scholars on F or J visas who can't get an SSN but need to file.
Why get an ITIN? What does it do, and what doesn't it do?
An ITIN lets you file a return, get a refund and claim tax treaty benefits. On its own, it doesn't exempt you from withholding, doesn't authorize work and says nothing about immigration status.
Typical uses:
- Filing: if you must file and have no SSN, you can't file without one.
- Refunds: a foreign owner who sells U.S. real estate and has too much FIRPTA tax withheld needs an ITIN to file Form 1040-NR and get the excess back.
- Treaty benefits: claiming a reduced treaty rate (for example under the U.S.–China treaty) often requires a taxpayer ID.
- Family returns: a foreign spouse needs an ITIN to file jointly with a U.S. citizen or resident.
To be clear: a payer who is required to withhold still withholds, ITIN or not. The ITIN is what lets you file and recover the excess, or qualify for a lower treaty rate.
What is a CAA, and why doesn't my passport have to be mailed?
A Certifying Acceptance Agent is a person or firm authorized by the IRS to authenticate identity documents for ITIN applicants. When you apply through a CAA, the CAA reviews your passport and certifies it, so the original never leaves your hands.
Without a CAA, you either mail your original passport (or a copy certified by the issuing agency) to the IRS and wait for it to come back, or book an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. You can't travel while your passport is in the mail.
One limit to know: for dependents, a CAA can authenticate only a passport or a birth certificate. If a dependent needs other documents, such as school or medical records, those still go to the IRS as originals or certified copies.
Read from the top, one step at a time.
| Step | What happens | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm why you need an ITIN | Filing, joint return, refund, treaty benefit |
| 2 | Prepare Form W-7 and the federal tax return | Or documents supporting an exception |
| 3 | CAA authenticates the passport | For dependents, a passport or birth certificate |
| 4 | CAA certifies the documents and mails them with the W-7 and return to the IRS | Your original passport stays with you |
| 5 | IRS processing, then the ITIN assignment letter | Usually about 7 weeks |
How long does it take?
The IRS usually processes an ITIN application in about 7 weeks. During filing season, or for applications mailed from abroad, it can take longer. If you're working toward a filing deadline or waiting on a refund after a home sale, start early.
Key rules at a glance
| Item | Rule | Notes | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application form | W-7 | Usually filed with a federal tax return unless an exception applies | 2026 |
| Original passport | Not mailed | When you apply through a CAA, who authenticates and certifies it | 2026 |
| Dependent documents a CAA can authenticate | Passport, birth certificate | Other documents go to the IRS as originals or certified copies | 2026 |
| IRS processing time | ~7 weeks | Longer during filing season or from abroad | 2026 |
| What an ITIN does | File / refund / treaty | For people who must file but can't get an SSN | 2026 |
| What an ITIN doesn't do | No withholding exemption | Also doesn't authorize work or confer immigration status | 2026 |
Common mistakes
"I have to mail my original passport to the IRS."
Not through a CAA. Your passport stays with you.
"Once I have an ITIN, nothing gets withheld."
An ITIN doesn't exempt you from withholding. It lets you file, recover over-withholding and claim treaty benefits.
"A CAA can authenticate any document for my child."
For dependents, only a passport or birth certificate. Everything else still goes to the IRS.
"I can get an ITIN whenever I need it."
Processing usually takes about 7 weeks, and longer in filing season. If a deadline or refund depends on it, start early.
How do I apply? What are my options?
The real difference between the options is whether your passport has to leave your hands.
- Option A: Apply through a CAA (recommended). The CAA authenticates your passport and certifies the copy. The original stays with you, and the W-7 and return go to the IRS together.
- Option B: Mail originals or certified copies to the IRS yourself. Your documents are gone for the processing period, and you carry the risk of loss in the mail.
- Option C: Book an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Appointments are limited and must be booked in advance.
- Expired ITIN? Renew with Form W-7. The process is much like a new application.
We're an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent and handle a high volume of ITIN applications every year
YCL is an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, listed in the IRS acceptance agent directory under the name Gloria Liu. Apply through us and your original passport never goes to the IRS. We handle a large number of ITIN applications each year. We start by confirming why you need one and what you'll use it for, then prepare the W-7 and return together so they're right the first time.
- Big Four background, 15+ years in U.S. tax, credentialed as CPA, EA and CAA
- IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent: we authenticate your passport and you keep the original
- We check whether you actually need an ITIN first, so applications aren't wasted or rejected
- One team for the return, Form 1040-NR, treaty claims and FIRPTA refunds
How it works
- 1
Free assessment
A 15-minute call to confirm whether you need an ITIN, what it's for and which route fits.
- 2
Document check
We authenticate the passport (for dependents, a passport or birth certificate). The original stays with you.
- 3
Application
The W-7, our certification and your return are prepared together for you to review and sign.
- 4
Follow-through
Processing usually takes about 7 weeks. If the IRS writes or asks for more, the same team responds.
FAQ
Do I have to mail my original passport to get an ITIN?
Not if you apply through an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent. The CAA authenticates your passport and certifies it, and the original isn't sent to the IRS.
How long does an ITIN take?
The IRS usually takes about 7 weeks, and longer during filing season or for applications from abroad. Start early.
Once I have an ITIN, will tax stop being withheld?
No. An ITIN by itself doesn't exempt you from withholding. It lets you file, get back what was over-withheld and claim treaty benefits.
Which documents can a CAA authenticate for my child?
For dependents, a CAA can authenticate only a passport or a birth certificate. Other documents must go to the IRS as originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
Can YCL help me with this?
Yes. We're an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, so your original passport stays with you, and we handle a large number of ITIN applications each year, return included. Book a free 15-minute call to start.
Related guides
Sources
- IRS: Instructions for Form W-7 (irs.gov)
- IRS: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- IRS: Acceptance Agent Program
- IRS: ITIN Acceptance Agents by State (CAA directory)
- IRS: Publication 1915, Understanding Your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Not sure whether you need an ITIN?
Book a free 15-minute call. A CPA will look at your situation, with no fee and no sales pitch.