Passport Certified True Copy

[SennaBrigante 92]

Hi yall.

Has anyone have to get a certified true copy of their passport recently? What were the procedures?

The procedure is not outlined on DFA's website (just authentication) and their online service is like 10x more expensive and is honestly more work than just going to Megamall (where my passport was issued) and having stuff done there. I don't know the requirements or the procedures though.

I need this for the ITIN so my husband can file his taxes. From the new instructions for the W-7, it says they only accept certified copies. I know DFA also "red ribbons" documents but I'm not sure if this is what's needed or will the certified copies suffice?

Does this also mean that I won't have to go to USEM to have my passport authenticated?

[Wyatt Cox 16]

My wife did it after she got her name changed on her passport. She did it the same day she picked up her passport, if I remember right. It was at DFA and if I recall it took four hours and 100 php

Did it also for the same reason, the W7. Red ribbon isn't necessary, I think. (At least I hope not)

[SennaBrigante 92]

I guess most of us newlyweds will have our fingers crossed for the ITIN with certified passport copies.

So she just submitted her passport and they made copies of it?

[Wyatt Cox 16]

Well, after we got married she walked our marriage contract to LBC and sent it to NSO for expedited processing, then did her CFO and got her name changed on her passport and it was after she picked up her new passport that she got the copy. According to her "they asked where am i going to used it then they asked for photo of the first page of the passport and yes it was 100 pesos"

She photocopied the passport and had it certified. She also had a filled up copy of the W7 which they also kept. So when you print out the W7 have an extra copy for NSO.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Was her passport issued in the main DFA? Mine was issued in DFA in Megamall so I'm guessing I have to go to Mega where it was issued?

I also have a tourist visa that I used to go to the US just last year. On the w7 instructions it also says

Certified copies from the issuing agency of a passport

must include the U.S. visa pages if a visa is required for your

Form W-7 application

On the application form itself it asks visa information and date of entry into the US. Now I'm stumped as to whether they'll need a certified copy of my visa too.

[Wyatt Cox 16]

I believe it was issued at the main DFA and that is where she got it. As for the visa it's not required I believe because you will be filing as a non-resident alien. One of the things he will also need is a letter signed by the two of you that says you both "elect" for you to be treated as a Resident Alien for tax purposes. I think I have it on the home computer and will post it when I get off work in about three hours.

On second thought it might not hurt to include the visa page(s)...

On second thought it might not hurt to include the visa page(s)...

[SennaBrigante 92]

Thanks soooo much!!

Now I'm wondering whether the visa page copy needs to be authenticated too. I asked my husband to call IRS for that bit. I'm hoping they'll say that it's not needed at all *fingerscrossed*

[Wyatt Cox 16]

Here's the cover letter we wrote:

To whom it may concern:

This is to declare that Wyatt V. Cox, husband and US Citizen, and Cheryl S. Cox, wife and Philippine Citizen, elect for Sheryl S. Cox, a non resident alien, to be treated as a Resident Alien for tax year 2013 and all tax years going forward. Mrs Cox has no income to declare.

Then two signature lines. Beneath one I have my name, address, and Social Security number. Beneath the second I have her name and address and the words "ITIN Application Attached".

Hope this helps!

[SennaBrigante 92]

Definitely helps. Thanks so much!