What documents do children under 6 need for an ITIN?

Children under 6 years old need only a valid passport to apply for an ITIN. The passport serves as proof of both identity and foreign status. If the child does not have a passport, the IRS accepts a certified birth certificate plus one additional document such as a medical record or school record. The birth certificate must be certified by the issuing authority, not a photocopy.

What documents do children aged 6-17 need for an ITIN?

Children aged 6 to 17 need a valid passport plus one additional document that establishes US residency. Accepted documents include school records showing the child's name and US address, medical records from a US doctor or clinic, or a letter from a school on official letterhead. The school record must show the current school year. Without a passport, two alternative identity documents are required per IRS Publication 1915.

Can I file all family ITINs together?

Yes. You can include multiple Form W-7 applications in a single tax return submission. Attach each family member's W-7 to one Form 1040. The IRS processes all applications together in 6 to 11 weeks. itin.so charges $297 per applicant for standard service, with family discounts available for 3 or more applications submitted together.

What tax credits can I claim for dependents with ITINs?

Dependents with ITINs qualify for the Other Dependent Credit (ODC) worth $500 per dependent on your tax return. The Child Tax Credit of $2,000 per child requires the child to have an SSN, not an ITIN. However, the ODC at $500 per ITIN-holding dependent still provides significant savings. A family with 3 ITIN-holding dependents receives $1,500 in credits through the ODC alone.

How long does the ITIN application take for dependents?

The IRS processes dependent ITIN applications in 6 to 11 weeks from the date of receipt. Applications submitted through a Certifying Acceptance Agent like itin.so are pre-verified, which reduces rejection risk and eliminates the need to mail original documents. W-7 preparation takes 7-10 business days for standard service or 2-3 business days for express service.

Can I claim a dependent who lives outside the United States?

You can claim a spouse who lives abroad on a joint return if you elect to treat them as a US resident for tax purposes. For children, the rules depend on your status: US citizens and resident aliens can claim foreign-resident dependents. Non-resident aliens filing Form 1040-NR can claim dependents from Canada, Mexico, South Korea, or India under specific treaty provisions. The dependent must still obtain an ITIN.

What if my dependent's passport is expired?

The IRS accepts expired passports as identity documents if the passport was valid at the time of entry into the United States. For dependents who never entered the US, an expired passport is not accepted. In that case, provide two alternative documents: a birth certificate plus medical records, school records, or a national ID card. Contact itin.so for guidance on alternative document combinations.

Do I need to renew my dependent's ITIN?

Yes, if the ITIN has not been used on a federal tax return for 3 consecutive years, it expires and must be renewed. Family members can renew together by submitting multiple Form W-7 renewal applications at the same time. Renewal requires the same identity documents as the original application. itin.so processes renewals for $297 (standard) or $297 (express).

Can I get an ITIN for my elderly parent as a dependent?

Yes. Elderly parents can qualify as dependents if they meet the IRS qualifying relative test: you provide more than 50% of their financial support, their gross income is below $5,050 (2025 threshold), and they are a US citizen, resident alien, or national of Canada or Mexico. The parent needs an ITIN obtained through Form W-7 with a valid passport or two alternative identity documents.

Updated April 2026

ITIN for Dependents 2026: Get ITINs for Your Spouse and Children

Every dependent claimed on your US tax return needs a valid taxpayer identification number. If your spouse or children do not have Social Security Numbers, they need ITINs for dependents to appear on your Form 1040. Children under 6 need only a passport. Children aged 6 to 17 need a passport plus school records or medical records. itin.so processes each dependent's application for $297 (standard) or $297 (express), with IRS approval in 6 to 11 weeks.

Why Do Dependents Need an ITIN?

The IRS requires a taxpayer identification number for every person listed on your federal tax return. Without an ITIN or SSN for each dependent, the IRS rejects the dependent claim and you lose associated tax credits worth $500 to $2,000 per person.

The Other Dependent Credit (ODC) provides $500 per dependent with an ITIN. For a family with a spouse and 3 children, that equals $2,000 in annual tax credits. Without ITINs, you file as single or married filing separately, which results in a higher tax bracket and loss of all dependent-related credits.

The ITIN application for dependents is filed alongside your federal tax return using Form W-7. Each dependent needs their own W-7 form, but all applications can be submitted together in a single package. Learn more about the full list of who needs an ITIN.

What Documents Do Dependent Children Need for an ITIN?

Document requirements depend on the child's age. The IRS has different rules for children under 6, children 6 to 17, and adult dependents 18 and older.

Children Under 6 Years Old

A valid passport is the only document needed. The passport proves both identity and foreign status in a single document. If the child does not have a passport, provide a certified birth certificate from the issuing government authority plus one additional document such as a medical record showing the child's name and date of birth.

Children Aged 6 to 17

Children aged 6 to 17 need a valid passport plus one document that establishes US residency. The IRS accepts school records showing the child's name and US school address for the current academic year, medical records from a US healthcare provider, or a letter on school letterhead confirming enrollment. These additional documents prove the child lives in the United States and is eligible to be claimed as a dependent.

Adult Dependents (18+)

Adult dependents such as elderly parents or disabled family members need a valid passport or two alternative identity documents from the IRS accepted document list. Acceptable combinations include a national ID card plus birth certificate, or a foreign driver's license plus birth certificate.

Age Group	Primary Document	Additional Documents
Under 6	Passport only	None required
6 to 17	Passport	School records OR medical records
18+	Passport	Or 2 alternative IDs (national ID + birth certificate)

How Do You File ITIN Applications for Multiple Dependents?

Submit all dependent W-7 forms together with a single tax return. The IRS processes the entire family package at once, issuing all ITINs within the same 6 to 11 week timeframe.

Complete a Form W-7 for each dependent. Enter the dependent's legal name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and your name as the "responsible party." For children, the parent signs the W-7 on behalf of the child.
Gather documents for each dependent. Each person needs their own identity documents. A family of 4 (2 parents, 2 children under 6) needs 4 passports. Use a Certifying Acceptance Agent to verify documents and keep your originals.
Prepare your federal tax return. File Form 1040 listing all dependents. Enter "APPLIED FOR" in the SSN field for each dependent awaiting an ITIN. The IRS assigns ITINs and processes the return together.
Submit the complete package. Mail all W-7 forms, identity documents (or CAA-certified copies), and your tax return to the IRS ITIN Operation Center in Austin, Texas.
Receive ITINs for all dependents. The IRS mails separate CP565 notices for each ITIN issued. All family ITINs typically arrive within the same week. Check your application status at any time.

What Tax Credits Are Available for Dependents with ITINs?

Dependents with ITINs qualify for the Other Dependent Credit of $500 per person. The Child Tax Credit of $2,000 per child requires an SSN, not an ITIN, under current law.

Credit	Amount	ITIN Eligible?
Other Dependent Credit	$500 per dependent	Yes
Child Tax Credit	$2,000 per child	No (requires SSN)
Child and Dependent Care Credit	Up to $3,000 per child	Yes (if you have earned income)
American Opportunity Credit	Up to $2,500	Yes (for education expenses)

A family with 4 ITIN-holding dependents saves $2,000 annually through the Other Dependent Credit alone. Combined with the tax savings from filing as married filing jointly versus separately, the total benefit can reach $5,000 to $14,000 per year. See our ITIN for spouse guide for details on filing status savings.

Does My Spouse Need a Separate ITIN Application?

Yes. Your spouse needs their own ITIN if they do not have an SSN and you want to file jointly. Filing as Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) saves $3,000 to $12,000 annually compared to Married Filing Separately (MFS) depending on your income bracket. The spouse's W-7 is submitted alongside your joint Form 1040.

Your spouse needs a valid passport and a marriage certificate. The marriage certificate must be an official copy from the issuing government. Read our detailed ITIN for spouse guide for the complete process and document requirements.

Get ITINs for Your Entire Family

itin.so processes family ITIN applications together. Keep your original passports and documents. Standard service $297 per applicant, express $297.

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Frequently Asked Questions About ITIN for Dependents

Yes, if they do not have a Social Security Number and you want to claim them on your US federal tax return. The IRS requires a valid taxpayer identification number (SSN or ITIN) for every person listed on Form 1040, including your spouse and each child or dependent. Without an ITIN, the IRS will reject the dependent claim and you lose the associated tax credits worth $500 to $2,000 per dependent.

Claim every dependent on your tax return and maximize your credits.

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