What 2-document combinations does the IRS accept?

Acceptable combinations include: birth certificate + state ID, national ID + driver's license, civil birth certificate + foreign military ID, US visa + foreign passport (if expired), US driver's license + birth certificate. At least one document must establish foreign status and at least one must support identity.

Can children apply for an ITIN without a passport?

Yes. Children under 14 can use a birth certificate plus school records or medical records as the document pair. Children 14-17 can use a birth certificate plus school records or a national ID. Children under 6 can use medical records alone.

Do the alternative documents need to be certified?

Yes. The IRS requires originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. A notarized copy is NOT acceptable. A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) verifies originals on a video call and certifies the copy that goes to the IRS, eliminating the need to mail originals.

Which document combination has the lowest rejection rate?

After the passport, the lowest-rejection combinations are: foreign birth certificate plus an unexpired national ID with photo, or foreign birth certificate plus a US state-issued photo ID. Combinations that include only paper documents (birth certificate alone or with utility bill) have higher rejection rates.

Can You Get an ITIN Without a Passport? (2026)

By Namira Taif, Lead ITIN SpecialistReviewed by our IRS-authorized CAA partners · Updated June 25, 2026

Which 12 Documents Does the IRS Accept Instead of a Passport?

National identification card (must contain photo, name, address, DOB, expiration)
US driver's license
Civil birth certificate
Foreign driver's license
US state identification card
Foreign voter's registration card
US military identification card
Foreign military identification card
Visa issued by the US Department of State
US Citizenship and Immigration Services photo ID
Medical records (dependents under age 6 only)
School records (dependents under age 18 only)

Pair any two from the list as long as at least one supports foreign status (foreign-issued document) and at least one supports identity (with photo). See full IRS list at the current Form W-7 instructions.

How Do I Pick the Best Document Combination?

Applicant Situation	Recommended Pair
Adult in the US	Foreign birth certificate + state ID
Adult outside the US	National ID + foreign driver license
Child under 6	Birth certificate + medical records
Child 6-17	Birth certificate + school records
F-1/J-1 student without passport	US visa + DS-2019/I-20 + birth certificate

For the broader document checklist, see ITIN documents required.

Why Use a CAA When You Do Not Have a Passport?

Without a passport, the IRS requires originals or issuer-certified copies of every alternative document. Mailing original birth certificates and national IDs to the IRS carries real loss risk. A CAA verifies the originals on a video call and certifies the copies that go to the IRS, so the applicant's irreplaceable documents stay home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting an ITIN Without a Passport

Yes. The passport is the preferred single-document option, but the IRS accepts 12 alternative documents in 2-document combinations. Common combinations: foreign birth certificate plus state-issued photo ID; foreign national ID plus foreign driver's license; US visa plus foreign military ID. The IRS publishes the full list in the Form W-7 instructions.

Apply without mailing originals. Apply with a Certifying Acceptance Agent — $297 flat, ready in 7 days.