[hindustani24]

Just wanted to share my experience because I have read numeral times as to the reason why petitioner choose to file "single" and not "married filing jointly" is because they do not want to have their spouses mail their passport to US as it can result in a passport being lost. I was facing the same dilemma because I did not have her passport with me here and getting a certified copy or notarized + appostile in her country was too much hassle. Then I figured from the instruction of W7 that Passport is not the only supporting document. See the link:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw7.pdf

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two of the documents listed below. The documents must be current*, verify your identity (that is, contain your name).... and there is a list of supporting documents that you can send such as drivers license, birth certificate, voter id, etc...

Last time I came back, I took my wife's birth certificate with me as I needed that for DS-230 and then I also told my wife to mail me the voter id because losing a voter id in mail is better than losing a passport. I took both original to my bank and got them notarized and sent them with my W7 on March 5th with my return and today I already got her ITIN number in the mail (in just 2 weeks) . Now just waiting to see a big fat deposit in my bank account and filing return jointly would also help during her interview at the embassy.

Edited by hindustani24, 21 March 2011 - 09:00 PM.

[magical]

Really glad you posted your experience--I read the instructions the same way, but everyone said NO NO NO--it won't work, so I had put off the whole thing and filed for an extension while I figured things out. Now I know for sure that I not only can read, but others can't. Thank you again. VERY helpful.

[Brusik]

I sent in a copy of my wifes passport that was notarized...
I had pictured copyof passport, A certified text document of the passport.. It was notarized and translated.......

Edited by darkdancer333, 21 March 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[dashmon]

Just wanted to share my experience because I have read numeral times as to the reason why petitioner choose to file "single" and not "married filing jointly" is because they do not want to have their spouses mail their passport to US as it can result in a passport being lost. I was facing the same dilemma because I did not have her passport with me here and getting a certified copy or notarized + appostile in her country was too much hassle. Then I figured from the instruction of W7 that Passport is not the only supporting document. See the link:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw7.pdf

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two of the documents listed below. The documents must be current*, verify your identity (that is, contain your name).... and there is a list of supporting documents that you can send such as drivers license, birth certificate, voter id, etc...

Last time I came back, I took my wife's birth certificate with me as I needed that for DS-230 and then I also told my wife to mail me the voter id because losing a voter id in mail is better than losing a passport. I took both original to my bank and got them notarized and sent them with my W7 on March 5th with my return and today I already got her ITIN number in the mail (in just 2 weeks) . Now just waiting to see a big fat deposit in my bank account and filing return jointly would also help during her interview at the embassy.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
I am doing the same thing... fingers crossed.
A H&R block reperesentative I talked with discouraged this approach and said you need a notarized copy of the passport. It seems he has had 9/10 applications rejected previously.

[July15]

Last time I came back, I took my wife's birth certificate with me as I needed that for DS-230 and then I also told my wife to mail me the voter id because losing a voter id in mail is better than losing a passport. I took both original to my bank and got them notarized and sent them with my W7 on March 5th with my return and today I already got her ITIN number in the mail (in just 2 weeks) . Now just waiting to see a big fat deposit in my bank account and filing return jointly would also help during her interview at the embassy.

This is Great! I also sent mine on March 5th, so I should be getting mine anytime soon. I sent a copy of the passport notarized by a US notary.

This is nice to read. Thanks for sharing :-)

[Musashii]

Thanks for sharing.
A consultant from H&R Block did the same thing when my wife consulted them and she was advised to file as "Single".
After reading the posts on VJ forums I asked her to confirm directly with IRS and then she was told she had to file either "married filing separately" or "married filing jointly".
I sent her a copy of my passport along with W-7 form to apply for ITIN but it is not notarized. Now the questions which arise are:

1. Do I need to send her a notarized copy again or can she just get it notarized from any notary public / authority in the states?
2. They told her that she needs to submit an original W-7 form (completed and signed). Since she works second shift (3:00PM to 12:00AM) I could not send the documents through courier as there would be nobody at home to sign and receive. I sent by registered post last week and she still has not received. Can I scan and mail to her a copy of original (completed and signed) W-7 instead? Will it be acceptable?
3. She filed her federal taxes back in January and received the returns in February. She was going to file for state taxes when we found out that we were done in by H&R Block (curse them). Will my wife have to apply for an extension?

[giantkoolit2011]

Just wanted to share my experience because I have read numeral times as to the reason why petitioner choose to file "single" and not "married filing jointly" is because they do not want to have their spouses mail their passport to US as it can result in a passport being lost. I was facing the same dilemma because I did not have her passport with me here and getting a certified copy or notarized + appostile in her country was too much hassle. Then I figured from the instruction of W7 that Passport is not the only supporting document. See the link:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw7.pdf

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two of the documents listed below. The documents must be current*, verify your identity (that is, contain your name).... and there is a list of supporting documents that you can send such as drivers license, birth certificate, voter id, etc...

Last time I came back, I took my wife's birth certificate with me as I needed that for DS-230 and then I also told my wife to mail me the voter id because losing a voter id in mail is better than losing a passport. I took both original to my bank and got them notarized and sent them with my W7 on March 5th with my return and today I already got her ITIN number in the mail (in just 2 weeks) . Now just waiting to see a big fat deposit in my bank account and filing return jointly would also help during her interview at the embassy.
[/quote]

Edited by giantkoolit2011, 22 March 2012 - 08:33 AM.

[giantkoolit2011]

Just wanted to share my experience because I have read numeral times as to the reason why petitioner choose to file "single" and not "married filing jointly" is because they do not want to have their spouses mail their passport to US as it can result in a passport being lost. I was facing the same dilemma because I did not have her passport with me here and getting a certified copy or notarized + appostile in her country was too much hassle. Then I figured from the instruction of W7 that Passport is not the only supporting document. See the link:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw7.pdf

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two of the documents listed below. The documents must be current*, verify your identity (that is, contain your name).... and there is a list of supporting documents that you can send such as drivers license, birth certificate, voter id, etc...

Last time I came back, I took my wife's birth certificate with me as I needed that for DS-230 and then I also told my wife to mail me the voter id because losing a voter id in mail is better than losing a passport. I took both original to my bank and got them notarized and sent them with my W7 on March 5th with my return and today I already got her ITIN number in the mail (in just 2 weeks) . Now just waiting to see a big fat deposit in my bank account and filing return jointly would also help during her interview at the embassy.

Hello!
It's a very informative.
My question is...is it required to file as "married filing jointly" or has a choice to file as "single". What are the benefits of both filing? Is it true that the beneficiary should submit W-7?
Thanks!

[JlovesL]

hey hindustani24 did you use your spouse name as its stated on the id card?
or did you put her married name?