Can I use a driver's license for my ITIN application?

Yes, but only as a supporting document. A US driver's license proves identity but not foreign status. A foreign driver's license may prove identity if it contains a photo, name, address, date of birth, and expiration date. You still need a second document proving foreign status, such as a birth certificate from a foreign country. The driver's license must be current and unexpired.

Do I need to send original documents or can I send copies?

If mailing your application to the IRS, you must send original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. Regular photocopies are not accepted. The IRS returns originals within 60 days by registered mail. To avoid sending originals, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) who verifies documents in person and sends certified copies. Notarized copies are not accepted by the IRS for ITIN applications.

What documents can prove foreign status for an ITIN?

9 documents prove foreign status: passport, national identification card, civil birth certificate, foreign voter registration card, US visa, USCIS photo identification, foreign military identification card, foreign driver's license (if it shows country of issuance), and US state-issued identification card (for certain resident aliens). A US document alone cannot prove foreign status. Birth certificates must be from a foreign country.

What documents can prove identity for an ITIN application?

12 documents prove identity: passport, national identification card, US driver's license, foreign driver's license, birth certificate, US state ID card, foreign voter registration card, US military ID, foreign military ID, visa, USCIS photo ID, and medical records (for dependents under 6) or school records (for dependents under 18 or students under 25). All documents must include a photo except birth certificates and records for minors.

Can I use a birth certificate alone for an ITIN application?

A foreign birth certificate proves foreign status but not identity (unless it is for a dependent under 14 and includes the child's photo or footprint). Adults using a birth certificate must also provide a photo ID document like a national identification card or driver's license. A US birth certificate does not help with ITIN applications because it does not prove foreign status.

What documents do I need for a dependent child's ITIN?

For dependents under 6: a passport or a combination of a birth certificate and medical records (vaccination record, hospital birth record, or doctor's records). For dependents 6-17: a passport or a combination of a birth certificate and school records. For dependents 18-24 (students): a passport or a combination of national ID and school records. The passport alone is sufficient for any age.

Are expired documents accepted for ITIN applications?

No. All identification documents must be current and unexpired at the time of application. The only exception is if a document was valid at the time of entry into the United States and the ITIN application is filed within the visa's validity period. Expired passports are never accepted. If your passport expired, you must renew it before applying for an ITIN.

Can I use a consular ID (matricula consular) for an ITIN?

The IRS does not list consular identification cards (such as Mexico's matricula consular) as one of the 13 accepted documents. However, some consular IDs may qualify as a national identification card if they meet IRS requirements: photo, name, address, date of birth, and expiration date. Check with a Certifying Acceptance Agent to verify whether your specific consular ID is accepted.

What happens if my documents are in a language other than English?

Documents in a foreign language are accepted by the IRS without translation. The IRS has multilingual staff who process ITIN applications. You do not need to provide certified translations of your identification documents. However, if using a Certifying Acceptance Agent, they may request translations for their own review process. The W-7 form itself must be completed in English.

All 13 IRS-Accepted Documents for ITIN Applications

Updated April 2026

Direct answer: The IRS accepts 13 identification documents for ITIN applications. A passport is the only standalone document proving both identity and foreign status. All other documents prove one category, requiring a combination of 2 documents. Below: every document listed with what it proves and when to use it.

What Are the 13 IRS-Accepted Documents for ITIN Applications?

#	Document	Proves Identity	Proves Foreign Status	Standalone?
1	Passport	Yes	Yes	Yes
2	National identification card	Yes	Yes	No
3	US driver's license	Yes	No	No
4	Civil birth certificate	No (adults)	Yes (if foreign)	No
5	Foreign voter registration card	Yes	Yes	No
6	US visa	Yes	Yes	No
7	US military identification card	Yes	No	No
8	Foreign military identification card	Yes	Yes	No
9	Foreign driver's license	Yes	Yes	No
10	US state identification card	Yes	No	No
11	USCIS photo identification	Yes	Yes	No
12	Medical records (under 6)	Yes	No	No
13	School records (under 18/students)	Yes	No	No

Why Is a Passport the Best Document for ITIN Applications?

A passport is the only document that simultaneously proves both identity and foreign status. This means you need only 1 document instead of 2. The IRS strongly recommends using a passport for ITIN applications. Over 80% of approved ITIN applications use a passport. If you have a valid, unexpired passport from any country, use it. The passport must be an original or a certified copy from the issuing government. If your passport expired, renew it before applying for your ITIN. If you cannot obtain a passport, see our step-by-step application guide for alternative document combinations.

What Document Combinations Work Without a Passport?

Without a passport, you need 2 documents: one proving identity and one proving foreign status. The most common combinations are: national ID card plus foreign birth certificate, foreign driver's license plus foreign birth certificate, US visa plus foreign birth certificate, or USCIS photo ID plus national ID card. For dependent children under 6: birth certificate plus medical records. For dependent children 6 to 17: birth certificate plus school records. Every combination must include at least 1 document with a photograph (except for dependents under 14). All documents must be current and unexpired.

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Do Documents Need to Be in English?

No. The IRS accepts documents in any language. You do not need certified translations. The IRS has multilingual staff trained to verify foreign-language documents. However, if you use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA), they may request translations for their own verification process. The W-7 form itself must be completed in English. Document names on the W-7 must match the document exactly, including any special characters or accent marks.

How Do You Submit Documents Without Risking Your Passport?

Use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). A CAA is authorized by the IRS to verify your identification documents in person. The CAA examines your original passport, creates a certified copy, and submits the copy with your W-7 to the IRS. You keep your original passport at all times. CAAs charge $50 to $275 for this service. If you mail your application directly, the IRS holds your original passport for 60 to 90 days during processing. The IRS returns it by registered mail, but the risk of loss exists. See our CAA guide for more details.

What Are the Most Common Document Mistakes That Cause Rejection?

5 document mistakes cause most ITIN rejections. First, sending expired documents. All documents must be current. Second, sending regular photocopies instead of originals or certified copies. Third, name mismatch between documents and Form W-7. Fourth, submitting only 1 non-passport document when 2 are required. Fifth, failing to include documents that cover both identity and foreign status categories. Read our common ITIN mistakes guide for the complete list of errors to avoid.

Are Notarized Copies of Documents Accepted?

No. The IRS does not accept notarized copies of identification documents for ITIN applications. Only original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency are accepted. A certified copy must come from the government body that originally issued the document (the passport office, civil registry, etc.). Notarized copies from a notary public, lawyer, or embassy are not the same as certified copies from the issuing agency. This is a frequent misunderstanding that leads to application rejection.

Government Sources

Document requirements per IRS Form W-7 instructions (Rev. 2025) and IRS Publication 1915. The 13 accepted documents are defined in IRS procedures under IRC Section 6109. Certified copy requirements per IRS ITIN application processing guidelines. Information current as of April 2026.

ITIN Documents: Frequently Asked Questions

A valid, unexpired passport is the easiest and most commonly used document. It is the only single document that proves both identity and foreign status simultaneously. All other documents prove only one category, meaning you need at least 2 documents. Over 80% of ITIN applications use a passport as the primary identification document according to IRS processing data.

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