Does the IRS Issue an ITIN Card? What You Actually Receive

What Does the IRS Actually Send for an ITIN Approval?

The IRS sends a CP565 notice. The CP565 arrives by US Postal Service in a standard windowed envelope from the Austin ITIN Operation. Inside is a single sheet of IRS-letterhead paper listing:

• The assigned 9-digit ITIN.
• The applicant's name exactly as filed on Form W-7.
• The assignment date (the date the IRS approved the ITIN).
• Brief usage instructions for tax filings.

For deeper detail on the notice see the CP565 notice page.

Why Does the IRS Not Issue an ITIN Card?

The ITIN is a tax-administration identifier, not an identity document. The IRS keeps issuance limited to a paper notice for three reasons:

• Cost. Producing and mailing plastic cards to millions of applicants annually would add hundreds of millions in administrative cost.
• Purpose. The ITIN exists solely for federal tax filing. Identity verification is not its role.
• Anti-fraud. A physical card would create a new attack surface for theft and forgery. A printed notice on IRS-letterhead is harder to spoof at scale.

How Do You Use a CP565 Notice in Real Life?

The CP565 functions as the proof-of-ITIN document for:

• Filing federal tax returns (Form 1040, 1040-NR).
• Opening a US bank account (combined with a separate photo ID).
• Applying for ITIN-friendly credit cards or loans.
• Submitting Form W-8BEN to claim a tax treaty rate.
• Providing tax ID to a US client paying you as an independent contractor.

For broader context on what an ITIN is, see the what is an ITIN page.

What If You Lose the CP565 Notice?

A lost CP565 does not mean a lost ITIN. The number stays in IRS records. To recover proof:

1. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a duplicate CP565 notice.
2. Submit Form 4506-T to request a Tax Return Transcript showing the ITIN.
3. Check a prior-year tax return. The ITIN appears at the top of every Form 1040 or 1040-NR you filed.

Allow 7 to 14 days for a duplicate notice to arrive.

Are There Fake ITIN Cards in Circulation?

Yes. Various third-party services offer printed or laminated “ITIN cards” for a fee. The IRS does not recognize these products. Banks, employers, and government agencies require the original CP565 notice as proof of ITIN issuance. Avoid paying for any “card” advertised as an official IRS document. Only the CP565 notice is authentic.