Where to go for certified copy of passport

[sherryandyashpal 7]

Hi all

I am sure someone has asked this... but I couldnt fine the answer.. I need to do taxes and need to get my husband an ITIN# I heard I need to include a ceritifed copy of his passport.. where would he get that in Delhi? thank you in advance!!

Sherry

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Hi all

I am sure someone has asked this... but I couldnt fine the answer.. I need to do taxes and need to get my husband an ITIN# I heard I need to include a ceritifed copy of his passport.. where would he get that in Delhi? thank you in advance!!

Sherry

I can't answer specifics for your husband's country, but let me tell you what happened to us, so maybe you won't have the same problem. The document requirements for getting an ITIN are very strict now, since June 2012. They prefer originals. They will mail them back to you.....but come on....who wants to risk loosing their documents? For my hubby, submitting originals was not an option because he needs his documents and could not be without them for one or two months.

I sent my hubby a completed W-7 form (he needed to sign it) and he returned it with his signature and a certified copy of his passport. I mailed it with my taxes as per the instructions. A few weeks later (I'm thinking a month) I got a letter that said the copy of his passport didn't meet the specifications. I called and talked to a lady. She wouldn't tell me exactly why because I didn't sign the form (they will only disclose full details to the person who signed the W-7). She said my hubby can call (the letter has a phone number for overseas calls). I told her I would be traveling to Kosovo to visit my husband, that maybe we could get it completed together. I might note that the W-7 I submitted was set to expire on October 1 and I was returning on the 2nd. She said my husband would need to submit a new W-7 form. (If you are wondering....I filed for an extension for more time to file my taxes, so I could get this done).

So while in Kosovo hubby and I called the number. It was difficult because I had a hard time understanding what the person was telling me (hubby told them to talk to me, so now finally they would). They kept telling me it must be a certified copy from the ISSUING AGENCY, or the agency who maintains the records. What we finally figured out was that hubby made a copy of his passport on a scanner and took it in to be notarized.

So the next day we took his passport and started asking government agencies how to get a certified copy, because honestly we weren't sure who maintained the info. I had the denial letter from the ITIN people with me. We went to at least 3 different places that couldn't help. They kept sending us to each other....we were going in circles. Finally we went to the Municipality (like city hall here in the USA). Mind you, I don't speak Albanian and hubby was doing all the talking. Also note, what is deemed "official" in another country may not be accepted here in the USA.

A nice gentleman (who hubby later told me was in charge of things there) had a color copy of hubby's passport made. Then he stamped the copy front and back, and signed it front and back. I watched while this was being done. When I returned home I wrote a letter explaining that I was present and watched the copy being made and stamped and signed right there at the Municipality in Prishtina, and I signed the letter (it was a sworn testimony type letter).

So...long story short, I mailed the new info, including my letter to the ITIN people. I GOT A DENIAL LETTER so I called right away. Same old thing...we can't talk to you we need to talk to your husband. I pleaded with the lady, and she said, ok, give me the case number (and some other info). She said, hold on a minute. She came back to the phone and told me, you can disregard that letter he is APPROVED and we mailed a letter yesterday. She added that she couldn't give me the number over the phone. I thanked her and said that's fine I was just so happy that he got his number.

I don't know why they issued the second denial and I don't know why they changed their mind, but I wonder if my letter helped.

[sherryandyashpal 7]

I can't answer specifics for your husband's country, but let me tell you what happened to us, so maybe you won't have the same problem. The document requirements for getting an ITIN are very strict now, since June 2012. They prefer originals. They will mail them back to you.....but come on....who wants to risk loosing their documents? For my hubby, submitting originals was not an option because he needs his documents and could not be without them for one or two months.

I sent my hubby a completed W-7 form (he needed to sign it) and he returned it with his signature and a certified copy of his passport. I mailed it with my taxes as per the instructions. A few weeks later (I'm thinking a month) I got a letter that said the copy of his passport didn't meet the specifications. I called and talked to a lady. She wouldn't tell me exactly why because I didn't sign the form (they will only disclose full details to the person who signed the W-7). She said my hubby can call (the letter has a phone number for overseas calls). I told her I would be traveling to Kosovo to visit my husband, that maybe we could get it completed together. I might note that the W-7 I submitted was set to expire on October 1 and I was returning on the 2nd. She said my husband would need to submit a new W-7 form. (If you are wondering....I filed for an extension for more time to file my taxes, so I could get this done).

So while in Kosovo hubby and I called the number. It was difficult because I had a hard time understanding what the person was telling me (hubby told them to talk to me, so now finally they would). They kept telling me it must be a certified copy from the ISSUING AGENCY, or the agency who maintains the records. What we finally figured out was that hubby made a copy of his passport on a scanner and took it in to be notarized.

So the next day we took his passport and started asking government agencies how to get a certified copy, because honestly we weren't sure who maintained the info. I had the denial letter from the ITIN people with me. We went to at least 3 different places that couldn't help. They kept sending us to each other....we were going in circles. Finally we went to the Municipality (like city hall here in the USA). Mind you, I don't speak Albanian and hubby was doing all the talking. Also note, what is deemed "official" in another country may not be accepted here in the USA.

A nice gentleman (who hubby later told me was in charge of things there) had a color copy of hubby's passport made. Then he stamped the copy front and back, and signed it front and back. I watched while this was being done. When I returned home I wrote a letter explaining that I was present and watched the copy being made and stamped and signed right there at the Municipality in Prishtina, and I signed the letter (it was a sworn testimony type letter).

So...long story short, I mailed the new info, including my letter to the ITIN people. I GOT A DENIAL LETTER so I called right away. Same old thing...we can't talk to you we need to talk to your husband. I pleaded with the lady, and she said, ok, give me the case number (and some other info). She said, hold on a minute. She came back to the phone and told me, you can disregard that letter he is APPROVED and we mailed a letter yesterday. She added that she couldn't give me the number over the phone. I thanked her and said that's fine I was just so happy that he got his number.

I don't know why they issued the second denial and I don't know why they changed their mind, but I wonder if my letter helped.

First of all thank you for explaining all of that.. I appreciate that.. wow.. this is such a headache, and there IS NO WAY I would have him send me his passport and me send it in I mean I have heard horror stories... well I will see what happens and who we can find to do this in india ohhhhhhhhh nooooooo!! I went to h&r block and the lady I was going to pay for my taxes had no idea where to begin.. and tried to talk me into filing single.. seriously? geez louise!

[indiana_sweetie 120]

First of all thank you for explaining all of that.. I appreciate that.. wow.. this is such a headache, and there IS NO WAY I would have him send me his passport and me send it in I mean I have heard horror stories... well I will see what happens and who we can find to do this in india ohhhhhhhhh nooooooo!! I went to h&r block and the lady I was going to pay for my taxes had no idea where to begin.. and tried to talk me into filing single.. seriously? geez louise!

You are welcome. They also accept other documents but he might need to keep those as well. When you file, put ITIN applied for, but you also need to send the completed W-7 and supporting documents.

[jamprincessf2a 15]

Hi all

I am sure someone has asked this... but I couldnt fine the answer.. I need to do taxes and need to get my husband an ITIN# I heard I need to include a ceritifed copy of his passport.. where would he get that in Delhi? thank you in advance!!

Sherry

Hi Sherry here what i have done,,hope it help

Posted 09 February 2013 - 07:38 AM

Hi guys.. just want to share..i know this is an old post but this might be able to help someone else who is filing W-7 form for their spouse,,,

I call the passport office in Jamaica and ask them if they Notorize the Passport biographic page and they said yes,,i just need to take a copy of the biographic page along with the passport and they will do it for me,,no cost,,but when you get there you have to write a letter telling them why you need it,,i sat and wait 20 minute,,and got my Notorize copy..Thank God.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

You could also file for an extension. What I did was pay (I'm self-employed so I always pay) and then file for an extension to send in the papers. I thought my hubby would be here before I needed to send my tax forms but no, we had delays. You could try it though, maybe he will be here and get his SS number which would solve the problem.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Hi Sherry here what i have done,,hope it help

Posted 09 February 2013 - 07:38 AM

Hi guys.. just want to share..i know this is an old post but this might be able to help someone else who is filing W-7 form for their spouse,,,

I call the passport office in Jamaica and ask them if they Notorize the Passport biographic page and they said yes,,i just need to take a copy of the biographic page along with the passport and they will do it for me,,no cost,,but when you get there you have to write a letter telling them why you need it,,i sat and wait 20 minute,,and got my Notorize copy..Thank God.

That's great! However, "passport office" did not seem to exist in Kosovo. We went to some office or business that has something to do with passports but they sent us to another office which had previously sent us to them

[sherryandyashpal 7]

You are welcome. They also accept other documents but he might need to keep those as well. When you file, put ITIN applied for, but you also need to send the completed W-7 and supporting documents.

Cool!! thank you these are great ideas i swear i feel like i am always forgetting something so i will definitely do this.. thank you!!!

[sherryandyashpal 7]

Hi Sherry here what i have done,,hope it help

Posted 09 February 2013 - 07:38 AM

Hi guys.. just want to share..i know this is an old post but this might be able to help someone else who is filing W-7 form for their spouse,,,

I call the passport office in Jamaica and ask them if they Notorize the Passport biographic page and they said yes,,i just need to take a copy of the biographic page along with the passport and they will do it for me,,no cost,,but when you get there you have to write a letter telling them why you need it,,i sat and wait 20 minute,,and got my Notorize copy..Thank God.

I will see what my husband can do from his side in india and hopefully this wont be too painful, thanks for suggestion

[jamprincessf2a 15]

I will see what my husband can do from his side in india and hopefully this wont be too painful, thanks for suggestion

You are welcome,,Good luck

[jamprincessf2a 15]

That's great! However, "passport office" did not seem to exist in Kosovo. We went to some office or business that has something to do with passports but they sent us to another office which had previously sent us to them

ok lol

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

Sherry,

My husband just had to get certified copies for NVC stuff. Yashpal can get certified copies from anyone from any of the following occupations, doctor, tax professional, college professor, dean, police officer, etc...

In India the term is "gazetted officer". Hubby explained it to me as any public servant in a higher position that can sign off and stamp the document with an official seal.

Tell Yash to get a gazetted officer to sign off on his passport copies and he'll know where to go.

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

First of all thank you for explaining all of that.. I appreciate that.. wow.. this is such a headache, and there IS NO WAY I would have him send me his passport and me send it in I mean I have heard horror stories... well I will see what happens and who we can find to do this in india ohhhhhhhhh nooooooo!! I went to h&r block and the lady I was going to pay for my taxes had no idea where to begin.. and tried to talk me into filing single.. seriously? geez louise!

The accountant I was going to hire was suggesting I do the same. This is definitely illegal and I'm not sure why they would suggest that.

Does Yash pay taxes on his income in India? Does he receive pay stubs? If not, it might just be easier to file as married separately. I'm considering do that as well since I can't seem to find a tax professional who wants to handle my complicated tax situation. My situation is a little different though since Kirpal already has a social security number. Do you need an ITIN number to file separately?

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I used TurboTax and it walked me through all the questions and said I needed to file as Head of Household because my hubby isn't here yet.

[Donderer 0]

I need certified copies of my passport, green card, german Social security card, etc. for trying for dual citizenship. its called Beibehaltungsgenehmigung. Where and who can certify such things. The notary public says they cannot do it. I live in Virginia