Applying for ITIN

[bruins 14]

Hey guys - I tried applying for an ITIN for my spouse but the application was returned due to the certified copy of the passport not meeting IRS criteria. After calling the IRS office, I found out that because I sent a copy of the passport cover and a copy of the bio page, the copy of the passport cover was not certified. They are requesting additional information, whether submit a certified copy of the passport or other documents. My question is, should I resend the copy of the bio page of my spouse passport along with a certified copy of our marriage certificate, birth certificate, and Vietnam national card? I'm afraid at loading too much documents to IRS may annoy them and they will reject my application. Please advise.

[mdzcpa 58]

You cannot submit anything not certified. You did not need to send a copy of the cover. The BIO pge has all that you need. Feel free to send copy of national card as long as the image is certified by an Accepting Agent.

[Ryan H 3,796]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[No name 88 48]

You cannot submit anything not certified. You did not need to send a copy of the cover. The BIO pge has all that you need. Feel free to send copy of national card as long as the image is certified by an Accepting Agent.

Your failing to understand Vietnam specifics. There are no accepting agents in South East Asia. In Vietnam you get a copy of the passport and the copy will have the books cover which is cut out and stapled to make a little book with a lot of little red stamps on it. I tried to get a certified copy and got back a translation in which the translator was certified and not the copy.

I tried to do this at the embassy but they only provide notarized copies.

If they want you to do this they could have made it easy.

[mdzcpa 58]

You're failing to understand the application process for applying for a TIN. What I gave you was the facts. There are few Accepting Agents anywhere in the world. Since the IRS increased the requirements of needing certified copies, few eligible organizations have applied and been accepted as Accepting Agents. Governmental "certified copies" are not certified copies for the purpose of applying for a TIN. This has to be done at either an IRS field office that provides the service or with an Accepting Agent. Some embassies provide the service but it is few and far between. Many folks end up sending an original identifying document now.

Yes, it's a pain in the butt. That's why most folks here file married separate.

Bottom line for anyone getting an appropriate certified copy recognized by the IRS, you only need the BIO page. I know because I work for an entity which is an Accepting Agent.

[No name 88 48]

You're failing to understand the application process for applying for a TIN. What I gave you was the facts. There are few Accepting Agents anywhere in the world. Since the IRS increased the requirements of needing certified copies, few eligible organizations have applied and been accepted as Accepting Agents. Governmental "certified copies" are not certified copies for the purpose of applying for a TIN. This has to be done at either an IRS field office that provides the service or with an Accepting Agent. Some embassies provide the service but it is few and far between. Many folks end up sending an original identifying document now.

Yes, it's a pain in the butt. That's why most folks here file married separate.

Bottom line for anyone getting an appropriate certified copy recognized by the IRS, you only need the BIO page. I know because I work for an entity which is an Accepting Agent.

I challenge find an accepting agent in SE Asia; I'll pay you for the service. I'm glad you work for an accepting agent in the US; it doesn't help any of us in Vietnam.

Go to the IRS page for accepting agents and click on any country in southeast Asia. It's blank. There are no accepting agents. They don't even come up in a search. The IRS accepts certified government copies from the office that issued the document; it's right on the IRS web site. There's a bunch of VJ members from Vietnam that did it last year. The problem is the government offices in Vietnam are not computerized and most are clueless when you ask for a certified copy. They keep giving me notarized copies and every office you walk in has it's own weird rules. It seems to luck and how deep your pockets are that dictates whether you can get a certified copy.

[bruins 14]

You cannot submit anything not certified. You did not need to send a copy of the cover. The BIO pge has all that you need. Feel free to send copy of national card as long as the image is certified by an Accepting Agent.

Thanks mdzcpa. All documents has been certified by issuing agency. Should I also send in her birth certificate and our marriage certificate (all certified, of course) as well? I know some government offices don't like front loading of documents, but I'm thinking better safe than sorry, right?

[Sang N Yen 0]

Your spouse needs to take the passport to the United States Embassy and get it certified there. The cost is $50 USD.