2021 Child Tax Credit--is there a way to opt out of payments without using the portal

[NDrew11]

Greetings,

My ex-husband and I alternate years claiming our son on our taxes.  I claimed my son on my 2020 taxes.  My ex will claim him on his 2021 taxes.  I am trying to log into the portal to opt out of the rest of the advance payments so that I don't end up having to pay the funds back next year.   I can't get into the portal due to problems with the ID.me app.    Every time it sends me a verification link, it sends the link to me broken into two separate text messages, so I can't click on the link.  I tried to hand-type the entire link into a web browser, and that didn't work either.  I've already spent at least 3 hours trying to do this.  Is there an alterative way to  opt out, by paper or by phone?  Please help! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hello NDrew11,

If the ID.me app isn't working for you, I suggest creating an account and accessing the page that way. Otherwise, if you don't have either that works, it says to have a photo ID ready (https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal)

[NDrew11]

Dear Jared,

I tried the app.  I tried doing it on my computer.  I uploaded photos of my driver's license, it made me do a video selfie, then it compared the two.  Then it asked for my ss#.  Then it checked my credit record.  And then, it asked to send me a verification link again via my phone number.  The link showed up again, broken into two text messages.  Rinse and Repeat.   Any other idea?  Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I do have an idea:

1. Copy and paste both text messages into an email.
2. Edit the message so the link is complete, not broken into two pieces.
3. Then, either copy/paste the complete link into your browser or email the link to yourself and click it when it shows up in your inbox.

I don't know if there is a timeout feature for the link, so you may need to request it one last time and then quickly follow the steps above.

[NDrew11]

Ok, I'll give this a try.  Thanks!  I've also submitted a help request to IDMe support.  Fingers crossed.