ITIN Documents Checklist 2026: Every Document You Need

What Are the 13 Accepted ITIN Documents in 2026?

1. Passport (standalone, proves identity and foreign status)
2. National identification card (must show photo, name, address, DOB, expiration date)
3. US driver's license
4. Civil birth certificate (required for dependents under 18)
5. Foreign driver's license
6. US state identification card
7. Foreign voter registration card
8. US military identification card
9. Foreign military identification card
10. Visa issued by the US Department of State
11. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification
12. Medical records (dependents under 6 only)
13. School records (dependents under 18 only)

For per-line W-7 guidance that pairs documents to reason codes, see the Form W-7 Instructions.

Which Documents Prove Identity Versus Foreign Status?

Without a passport, applicants need at least one document marked “Yes” for identity and one marked “Yes” for foreign status. The two documents can be the same (e.g., a national ID that proves both) or two separate documents.

How Should ITIN Documents Be Certified for the IRS?

The IRS accepts three certification methods:

• Original documents: You mail the original to the Austin ITIN Operation. The IRS returns it 60 days after processing.
• Issuer-certified copies: A copy certified by the government office that issued the document (e.g., the consulate that issued the passport, the bureau that issued the birth certificate).
• Certifying Acceptance Agent verification: A CAA physically inspects your original document and submits a Form W-7(COA) Certificate of Accuracy with certified copies to the IRS. You keep your originals at home.

Notarized copies, photocopies you make yourself, and scans are not accepted by the IRS.

What Documents Do Dependents and Spouses Need?

Dependents and spouses follow the same 13-document list with specific additions:

• Dependents under 6: Medical records become an acceptable identity document.
• Dependents under 18: School records become an acceptable identity document.
• Dependents from Mexico and Canada: Strict passport-or-two-document rule applies; the IRS scrutinizes these applications heavily.
• Spouses: Must include date of entry to the United States if applicable; otherwise the standard adult document rules apply.

How Do You Avoid Document Rejection on an ITIN Application?

• Use a passport whenever possible; it eliminates the two-document combination.
• Ensure every document is current. Expired documents are auto-rejected.
• Match the spelling and date of birth across Form W-7 and supporting documents exactly.
• Never send notarized copies or photocopies you made yourself.
• Use a CAA. They pre-verify documents and avoid the rejection cycle entirely. See the ITIN documents required page for the deeper checklist.