even the IRS gives conflicting info
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-spouse
If your spouse is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. resident within the meaning of IRC section 7701(b)(1)(A) and you file a joint or separate return, your spouse must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). To get an SSN for your spouse, apply at a social security office or U.S. consulate. You must complete Form SS-5. You must also provide original or certified copies of documents to verify your spouse's age, identity, and citizenship. If your spouse is not eligible to get an SSN, they can file Form W-7 with the IRS to apply for an ITIN. Refer to Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) for more information.
without the spouse having an ITIN or SSN e-filing is supposedly not possible
while the "NRA" option would be nice (that's in the 1040 instructions) - technically form instructions have no official standing. there was even a tax case where taxpayers followed the form instructions but they didn't conform to the tax laws so the taxpayers lost
since the return must be printed and mailed
nothing prevents leaving the SSN blank
correcting any errors or omissions other than the SSN
then printing and writing NRA for spouses SSN/ITIN
