Family applications
ITINs for your spouse and children — with the right documents for each person
Each family member who needs an ITIN files their own Form W-7, usually attached to the same tax return. The documents differ for a spouse and for a child, and the rules on what a Certifying Acceptance Agent can certify are stricter for dependents. We sort it out person by person.
- W-7 reasons (d), (e) and (g)
- A document checklist for each family member
- $99 for each additional spouse or dependent
- Honest about which tax benefits an ITIN unlocks
- Reply within one business day
- Private service, not the IRS — read our disclaimer
- Passport scan uploadedVerified
- Reason for applying (W-7 box)Verified
- Foreign address verifiedVerified
- Tax return or exception documentsNeeds review
- CAA video verificationPending
What each family member needs
Every applicant files their own Form W-7. The documents depend on who they are.
- Spouse: a valid passport on its own, or at least two other accepted documents, one with a photo. Copies must be certified by the agency that issued the document. Notarized copies are not accepted.
- Dependent: the same identity proof, plus — for many dependents — documents showing U.S. residency, such as U.S. school or medical records.
- For dependents, a Certifying Acceptance Agent can authenticate only the passport and birth certificate; other dependent documents must be originals or certified copies sent to the IRS.
- Form W-7 must be attached to a valid federal income tax return unless you qualify for one of the exceptions listed in the W-7 instructions.
Sources: Instructions for Form W-7 (Rev. December 2024) and IRS — ITIN supporting documents, checked November 6, 2026. The IRS charges nothing for an ITIN.
This service is built for these situations
Spouse of a U.S. citizen or resident
W-7 reason (e) — usually when you file a joint return or the return claims a tax benefit for your spouse.
Dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident
W-7 reason (d) — a child or relative claimed on your return for an allowable tax benefit.
Family of a nonresident on a U.S. visa
W-7 reason (g) — the spouse or dependent of a nonresident alien holding a U.S. visa.
Your spouse lives abroad
Our CAA can verify an adult spouse’s passport on a video call, so it isn’t mailed to the IRS.
A family member’s ITIN expired
Spouses and dependents renew only when they’re claimed for a tax benefit or file their own return.
A dependent’s W-7 was rejected
Often missing proof of U.S. residency or the wrong kind of copy. We fix it and refile.
Getting an ITIN from outside the U.S. is full of small traps
The IRS rejects a large share of ITIN applications, and most rejections and long delays come from a handful of avoidable mistakes: the wrong documents, a missing tax return or exception proof, or originals lost in the mail.
Common pitfalls
What usually goes wrong when filing alone
- Applying for family members who don’t need an ITIN on this year’s return.
- Expecting a child’s ITIN to qualify them for the child tax credit.
- Sending a dependent’s school or medical records as CAA-certified copies, which the IRS won’t accept.
- Leaving out the extra proof of U.S. residency some dependents need.
- Filing family W-7s separately from the return they belong to.
Our approach
How we prevent each of those problems
- We confirm who actually needs an ITIN, and why, before anyone applies.
- A separate W-7 for each person, with the right reason box ticked.
- For dependents, we tell you which documents our CAA can certify and which must go as originals or agency-certified copies.
- All family W-7s filed together with the return.
- Plain advice on which credits an ITIN can and can’t support.
What we actually do for you
Family review
We go through each person on your return, confirm who needs an ITIN and which W-7 reason applies, and list the documents each one needs.
W-7s & CAA verification
We prepare a W-7 for each applicant. Our CAA verifies passports on a video call and certifies copies; for dependents, only the passport and birth certificate can be certified this way.
Filing together
The W-7s go to the IRS with the tax return, by tracked courier, and we track the family’s applications until each ITIN is assigned.
Compare what each package includes on our ITIN service pricing page.
ITIN for Spouse & Dependents
Prepared and certified by our CAA team
Three ways a Form W-7 reaches the IRS
Every ITIN application needs the W-7, proof of identity and foreign status, and usually a tax return. These are the routes the IRS lists for getting your documents to it. You can use any of them yourself — the ITIN is free.
| Route | How it works | Who can use it | Your original documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) | An IRS-authorized agent reviews your original passport (in person or on a video interview) and certifies a copy | Anywhere in the world | Original passport is not mailed to the IRS |
| Mail to the IRS | Internal Revenue Service, ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342 | Anywhere in the world | You mail originals or copies certified by the issuing agency; originals are returned by mail |
| IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center | In-person appointment at a designated IRS office (844-545-5640) | Inside the U.S. only | Documents reviewed and returned at the appointment |
- Processing time. The IRS says to allow 7 weeks for an ITIN decision, or 9–11 weeks if you apply during peak season (January 15 – April 30) or from overseas. Nobody — no agent and no paid service — can make the IRS process an ITIN faster.
- Certified copies only. Copies must be certified by the agency that issued the document. Notarized copies are not accepted.
- A return, or an exception. Form W-7 must be attached to a valid federal income tax return unless you qualify for one of the exceptions listed in the W-7 instructions.
Why the route matters: Applications filed through a Certifying Acceptance Agent were rejected 12.3% of the time, against 27.3% when originals were mailed to the IRS and 18.4% through IRS offices (National Taxpayer Advocate, CY2023 to September 2024).
Get a clear next step for your case
Share your situation and a specialist will reply within one business day. The assessment is free.
- Free to askThe assessment costs nothing. Our packages have fixed prices, fully refundable until we file your W-7.
- Honest directionIf we're not the right fit, we'll say so and point you elsewhere.
- Private by defaultYour details stay with us. We don't sell or share data.
Common questions from non-U.S. applicants
If your question isn't here, contact us — we'll answer honestly, even if the answer is 'this isn't a fit for our service.'
Does my spouse need an ITIN?
Only if they have a U.S. federal tax reason — most often when you file a joint return, or when your return claims a tax benefit for them. If your spouse doesn’t appear on a return in a way that needs a number, they don’t need one.
Will an ITIN let me claim the child tax credit for my child?
No. The child tax credit requires the child to have a Social Security number valid for work. From tax year 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act also requires the filer — or at least one spouse on a joint return — to have one. An ITIN alone doesn’t qualify a child for it. A dependent with an ITIN may still count for other benefits, such as the credit for other dependents.
Can your CAA certify all of my child’s documents?
No. For dependents, a Certifying Acceptance Agent can authenticate only the passport and birth certificate; other dependent documents must be originals or certified copies sent to the IRS. We tell you exactly which documents that affects before anything is filed.
What extra documents does a dependent need?
Besides proof of identity and foreign status, many dependents must also prove U.S. residency — for example with U.S. medical records for young children or U.S. school records. Which applies depends on the child’s age and situation; we check it for each dependent.
How much does it cost to add family members?
Each additional spouse or dependent is $99 on top of the main applicant’s package. The IRS charges nothing for an ITIN.
How long does a family application take?
Two clocks. Ours: 1–3 business days after we have everyone’s documents and the video verification. The IRS’s: The IRS says to allow 7 weeks for an ITIN decision, or 9–11 weeks if you apply during peak season (January 15 – April 30) or from overseas. Nobody — no agent and no paid service — can make the IRS process an ITIN faster.
Ready to get your ITIN without mailing your passport?
Tell us who needs an ITIN and why. A specialist will reply within one business day with the documents you need and a clear plan.
Or email support@itinnumber.io
- Reply within one business dayA specialist reviews your case and outlines a clear plan.
- Free resubmissionPriority and Complete include one free resubmission if the IRS rejects your application.
- Refund before filingChange your mind before we file your W-7? Full refund, no questions.
Two clocks apply to every ITIN. Ours: we prepare and certify your application within 1–3 business days of receiving your documents and completing the video verification. The IRS’s: it says to allow 7 weeks, or 9–11 weeks from January 15 to April 30 or when you apply from abroad — and nobody can speed that up. We track your application through the IRS wait, follow up once the IRS window has passed, and tell you as soon as your ITIN is assigned. All prices are listed in USD with no hidden fees, and payments are made securely by debit or credit card through Razorpay. The IRS charges nothing for the ITIN itself.