ITIN application for my spouse

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 1, 2019
1 reply
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I am trying to file W-7 form together with tax return for me and my wife, who resides abroad.
Now as I understand from IRS instructions we need to provide "original passport" or 2 other original or certified IDs one of which should be with a photo. Am I right?
My questions are:

Do we both have to send these documentation or just my wife?
Where can I certify these documents? Can she do that in her home country?
In some documents (passport,ID) my wife have only maiden name written. Is this going to be a problem?

Will there be a problem (except monetary) for my wife (who is is in procedure acquiring a green card) if I file single in my tax returns?

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bine22

Level 8

First, you cannot file single if you are married. That will definitely create problems.

Second, do not send the originals, only certified copies. Only the person for whom the ITIN is requested needs to provide these documents. Since the passport only has the maiden name, I suggest to have your marriage certificate translated and certified as well, or, maybe even better, get a new passport with the married name and a certified copy of that passport at the same time. The certification needs to be done by the issuing agency (ideally in English, otherwise you need to get that translated).