Why do people search for 'ITIN card'?

Over 1,300 people search for 'ITIN card' monthly because they assume ITINs work like Social Security cards. The SSA issues a physical Social Security card with your SSN. People expect a similar card for their ITIN. The confusion also comes from the term 'ITIN number' being used alongside 'SSN card,' leading people to search for an equivalent ITIN card that does not exist.

What do I receive when my ITIN is approved?

You receive a CP565 notice from the IRS. This is a single-page letter on IRS letterhead containing your 9-digit ITIN (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX), your legal name, and the date of issuance. The letter arrives by mail 7 to 11 weeks after the IRS processes your Form W-7 application. It is mailed to the address you provided on your W-7.

Can I use the CP565 letter as identification?

The CP565 letter is not a form of identification. It confirms your ITIN number but does not verify your identity. Banks may accept it as proof of your ITIN alongside a valid passport or government-issued photo ID. You cannot use the CP565 for employment verification, travel, or as a substitute for a passport or driver's license.

Is an ITIN the same as a Social Security card?

No. An ITIN and SSN serve different purposes. An SSN is issued by the Social Security Administration and comes with a physical card. It authorizes employment in the US. An ITIN is issued by the IRS and comes as a CP565 letter only. It is used exclusively for tax purposes and does not authorize employment. The formats differ: SSN is XXX-XX-XXXX while ITIN is 9XX-XX-XXXX.

What if someone offers to sell me an ITIN card?

It is a scam. The IRS does not produce, sell, or distribute ITIN cards. Anyone offering an ITIN card is selling a fraudulent document. Using a fake ITIN card can result in criminal charges for identity fraud. Report suspected ITIN fraud to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484.

How do I prove my ITIN number without a card?

Use your CP565 notice (the IRS assignment letter) as proof. If you lost the letter, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a replacement. You can also find your ITIN on any previously filed tax return, on Form 1042-S or W-2 from a US payer, or by visiting an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center with valid photo identification.

Do banks accept an ITIN without a card?

Yes. Banks that accept ITINs require your 9-digit ITIN number, not a physical card. Most banks accept the CP565 letter or a previously filed tax return as proof of your ITIN. Online banks like Mercury, Relay, and Wise let you enter your ITIN directly in the application. No bank requires a physical ITIN card because none exists.

Can I laminate my CP565 notice to make it look like a card?

You can protect your CP565 by laminating it, but this does not make it an official card. The CP565 is a standard 8.5 x 11 inch letter. Laminating it preserves the document but does not change its legal status. For portability, keep a high-quality digital scan on your phone and store the original in a safe place.

Does any country issue a tax ID card?

Yes. Some countries issue physical tax ID cards. India issues a PAN card (Permanent Account Number), Mexico issues an RFC card, and Brazil issues a CPF card. The US does not issue physical cards for ITINs. The Social Security card is a physical card, but it is issued for SSNs only. The IRS confirmed it has no plans to introduce an ITIN card.

Updated April 2026

ITIN Card Explained 2026: Why There Is No Physical ITIN Card

There is no physical ITIN card. The IRS does not issue cards, plastic IDs, or laminated documents for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Over 1,300 people search for “ITIN card” every month, expecting a card similar to a Social Security card. Instead, the IRS sends a CP565 notice — a single-page paper letter confirming your ITIN number. This guide explains what you actually receive, why the confusion exists, how to use your CP565 notice, and how to protect yourself from ITIN card scams.

Why Do People Think There Is an ITIN Card?

The misconception comes from 3 sources. Understanding them helps you avoid confusion and scams.

1. Social Security Card Comparison

The Social Security Administration issues a physical card with your SSN. Since ITINs serve a similar purpose (tax identification), people assume the IRS issues a similar card. The SSN system was created in 1936 and has always included physical cards. The ITIN system was created in 1996 and has never included cards.

2. Foreign Tax ID Card Systems

Many countries issue physical tax ID cards. India's PAN card, Mexico's RFC card, and Brazil's CPF card are all physical documents. People from these countries expect a similar card from the US tax system. The IRS does not follow this model for ITINs.

3. Scam Websites and Misinformation

Some fraudulent websites advertise “ITIN cards” for sale. These are not official IRS documents. They are unauthorized reproductions that have no legal standing. Using a fake ITIN card can result in federal fraud charges. Always obtain your ITIN through the official IRS process using Form W-7.

What Do You Actually Receive When Your ITIN Is Approved?

You receive a CP565 notice from the IRS. Here is exactly what it is and what it contains.

Feature	CP565 Notice (ITIN)	Social Security Card (SSN)
Format	Paper letter (8.5 x 11 in)	Card (3.5 x 2.125 in)
Material	Standard paper	Banknote-quality paper
Security features	None	Intaglio printing, planchettes
Issuing agency	IRS	Social Security Administration
Photo included	No	No
Valid for ID	No	Limited (not photo ID)
Replacement process	Call IRS, 30-60 days	Apply at SSA, 2-4 weeks

For complete details about the CP565 notice, see our CP565 notice guide.

How Do You Use Your ITIN Without a Physical Card?

Your ITIN is a number, not a card. You use the number itself for every purpose. Here are the 6 most common uses:

Filing tax returns. Enter your 9-digit ITIN in the SSN field on Form 1040 or Form 1040-NR. The IRS systems accept ITINs in the SSN field.
Opening bank accounts. Enter your ITIN when the application asks for an SSN or tax ID. Banks like Mercury and Relay accept ITINs online. No card needed.
Completing Form W-8BEN. Enter your ITIN on Line 5 of Form W-8BEN to claim tax treaty benefits.
Applying for an EIN. Enter your ITIN on Line 7b of Form SS-4.
Providing to employers or clients. Share your ITIN number (not a card) with US payers for tax reporting.
State tax returns. Enter your ITIN in the SSN field on state tax forms.

How Do You Protect Your ITIN Number?

Since there is no card to protect, you need to safeguard the number itself and your CP565 notice. Follow these 5 security practices.

Store the CP565 securely. Keep the original paper letter in a safe, lockbox, or fireproof file cabinet.
Create encrypted digital copies. Scan the CP565 and store it in an encrypted folder or password-protected cloud storage.
Never share your ITIN publicly. Only provide your ITIN to the IRS, authorized tax preparers, banks, and legitimate employers/clients.
Monitor for unauthorized use. File your tax returns on time. If someone files using your ITIN before you, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.
Report scams. If anyone offers to sell you an ITIN card, report them to TIGTA at 1-800-366-4484 and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What Is the Difference Between an ITIN and an SSN?

The ITIN and SSN are both 9-digit tax identification numbers, but they serve different purposes and are issued by different agencies.

Feature	ITIN	SSN
Issuing agency	IRS	Social Security Administration
Physical document	Paper letter (CP565)	Card
Format	9XX-XX-XXXX (starts with 9)	XXX-XX-XXXX (does not start with 9)
Purpose	Tax filing only	Tax + employment + benefits
Work authorization	No	Yes
Expires	After 3 years of non-use	Never

For a complete comparison, see our ITIN vs SSN guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ITIN Card

No. The IRS does not issue a physical card, plastic ID, or laminated document for ITINs. When the IRS approves your ITIN application, they mail a CP565 notice, which is a single-page paper letter containing your ITIN number. This letter is the only official document confirming your ITIN assignment. There has never been an ITIN card in the history of the program since its creation in 1996.

Need an ITIN? You will receive a CP565 notice (not a card) from the IRS in 7 to 11 weeks. Our CAA service starts at $297.

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