How long to get W7 (ITIN) completed?

[mchina34 0]

Ok, I paper (don't think there's another way) file my taxes and mailed them using USPS on February 7th 2007.

Today, March 12, 2007, I got my wife's ITIN number on a US Dept. of Treasury document.

I also sent in the original passport with the W7 and federal tax return, but did not get it back. I imagine I'll get her passport back after my federal taxes are done (probably 3-4 more weeks).

Also, I believe I checked the box "Spouse of US citizen". I know that part of the W7 can be confusing.

[payxibka 10,047]

Ok, I paper (don't think there's another way) file my taxes and mailed them using USPS on February 7th 2007.

Today, March 12, 2007, I got my wife's ITIN number on a US Dept. of Treasury document.

I also sent in the original passport with the W7 and federal tax return, but did not get it back. I imagine I'll get her passport back after my federal taxes are done (probably 3-4 more weeks).

Also, I believe I checked the box "Spouse of US citizen". I know that part of the W7 can be confusing.

I would have thought they would have sent back the passport since they have issued ITIN there is no real reason for them to keep it.....

[mendeleev 68]

You sent her original passport !?!?!

I've read here -- and I think it is excellent advice -- never send the government an original anything unless they specifically ask for it. And then, I'd be very careful about sending anything as irreplaceable as passport!

[mchina34 0]

You sent her original passport !?!?!

I've read here -- and I think it is excellent advice -- never send the government an original anything unless they specifically ask for it. And then, I'd be very careful about sending anything as irreplaceable as passport!

Here's what the W7 says:

"3. The original documents, or certified or notarized copies of

documents, that substantiate the information provided on the Form

W-7. The supporting documentation must be consistent with the

applicant’s information provided on Form W-7. For example, the

name, date of birth, and country(ies) of citizenship must be the same

as on Form W-7, lines 1a, 4, and 6a

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or

certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit

any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two or

more of the documents listed below. The documents must be

current, verify your identity (that is, contain your name), and support

your claim of foreign status. At least one document must contain

your photograph, but a photograph is not required if documents are

submitted for a dependent under age 14 (under age 18 if a student).

Do not attach expired documents.

"

So, it asks for original, and in parenthesis a notarized copy, which translates in my brain to "prefer original". Additionally, when I was going to do this there were several people posting on this subject on VJ and at least one was convincing enough to get me to send the original. As I've state elsewhere: "DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL"!!! ;-) i wish I knew then what I know now kinda thing...

I'm totally pissed off at myself I did this, but it is approved at any rate and we might be getting it back along with my federal taxes here shortly. fwaguy, I had thought I was going to get it back after the W7 teams was done with this part of me taxes, but I guess they still need it. My wife's interview isn't until at least late May and more probably mid-July, so I think I'm safe no matter what happens with her passport.

AGAIN, DON'T SEND ORIGINAL PASSPORT, UNLESS YOUR SPOUSE IS ALREADY IN THE COUNTRY.

[bell300 0]

Hi, I glad you got your ITIN number. I sent in my tax forms and w-7 on 1/28. And have not received anything yet. The IRS has no record of getting my stuff

You sent her original passport !?!?!

I've read here -- and I think it is excellent advice -- never send the government an original anything unless they specifically ask for it. And then, I'd be very careful about sending anything as irreplaceable as passport!

Here's what the W7 says:

"3. The original documents, or certified or notarized copies of

documents, that substantiate the information provided on the Form

W-7. The supporting documentation must be consistent with the

applicant’s information provided on Form W-7. For example, the

name, date of birth, and country(ies) of citizenship must be the same

as on Form W-7, lines 1a, 4, and 6a

If you submit an original valid passport (or a notarized or

certified copy of a valid passport), you do not need to submit

any other documents. Otherwise, you must submit at least two or

more of the documents listed below. The documents must be

current, verify your identity (that is, contain your name), and support

your claim of foreign status. At least one document must contain

your photograph, but a photograph is not required if documents are

submitted for a dependent under age 14 (under age 18 if a student).

Do not attach expired documents.

"

So, it asks for original, and in parenthesis a notarized copy, which translates in my brain to "prefer original". Additionally, when I was going to do this there were several people posting on this subject on VJ and at least one was convincing enough to get me to send the original. As I've state elsewhere: "DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL"!!! ;-) i wish I knew then what I know now kinda thing...

I'm totally pissed off at myself I did this, but it is approved at any rate and we might be getting it back along with my federal taxes here shortly. fwaguy, I had thought I was going to get it back after the W7 teams was done with this part of me taxes, but I guess they still need it. My wife's interview isn't until at least late May and more probably mid-July, so I think I'm safe no matter what happens with her passport.

AGAIN, DON'T SEND ORIGINAL PASSPORT, UNLESS YOUR SPOUSE IS ALREADY IN THE COUNTRY.

[Robor007 0]

I believe the only benefit of sending the original is you don't have to have the original certified/copied. I sent a certified copy of my wifes for her W7.

[vylex 0]

I believe the only benefit of sending the original is you don't have to have the original certified/copied. I sent a certified copy of my wifes for her W7.

Ditto that. There is no way I am sending the original in, especially since the notarized copy would do.

I hope to hear back from them this month about the ITIN.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I took a certified copy of my non-resident alien husband's passport to the local IRS office with our taxes and the W7 form. They ignored the copy of the passport, but we got the ITIN just fine.

[Cali Gal CPA 0]

When we applied for our daughter's ITIN, we submitted the ITIN application, along with a NOTARIZED copy of her passport. We got the ITIN in about 2 weeks.

[beameup 0]

I believe the only benefit of sending the original is you don't have to have the original certified/copied. I sent a certified copy of my wifes for her W7.

It's ok to send a notarized copy if it is done in another country - the "Hague Convention" rules apply - except in the Philippines where Philippine Attourneys have now been DISQUALIFIED to notarize documents sent to the U.S. Government. There is one Agent in the P.I. IRS Acceptance Agent - otherwise an Embassy Officer.

Edited March 13, 2007 by beameup

[Cha Gio 0]

Dumb question, but how would you check for the status? I called the IRS up and ask for the status. They asked me to put my wife on the phone which I couldn't because she's still in another country. The agent said "Sorry. I can't help you then."

[Mona Lisa 0]

I am really sorry. I am lost again. I never heard about W7!!!! Do we need file it in USCIS together to I-134?? I dont get understand this. Until now I received nothing from Rio consulate and I am getting lost on the papers, it is problably I am late, because I have nothing in my hands and all the time people speak about things that I never heard it. Help me someone!!!

[payxibka 10,047]

I am really sorry. I am lost again. I never heard about W7!!!! Do we need file it in USCIS together to I-134?? I dont get understand this. Until now I received nothing from Rio consulate and I am getting lost on the papers, it is problably I am late, because I have nothing in my hands and all the time people speak about things that I never heard it. Help me someone!!!

W-7 is an IRS tax identification number and has nothing to do with USCIS

[mchina34 0]

I am really sorry. I am lost again. I never heard about W7!!!! Do we need file it in USCIS together to I-134?? I dont get understand this. Until now I received nothing from Rio consulate and I am getting lost on the papers, it is problably I am late, because I have nothing in my hands and all the time people speak about things that I never heard it. Help me someone!!!

Hey, don't sweat it. It's for filing taxes with married status, which you should be doing just so you know.

Google W7 and get the forum from the IRS search result. Fill it out along with your federal (maybe state too, depends on state) taxes, and submit them to the address found on the W7 form, not the normal tax return address.

If you claim your wife's earning, you will need proof of her incomes, and you will also need a NOTARIZED COPY OF HER PASSPORT. Don't be an idiot like me and use the real passport.

Why do you need this? To show that your finances are irreversibly intertwined into the far distant galaxies. This will just be 'extra', if there's such a thing, evidence to prove the authenticity of your marriage.

[allynella 0]

Last year when applying for the ITIN, we took the passport in to the IRS directly, and got a received stamp placed on our copy of the return and W7. No way was I sending passport in the mail, and when I had phoned in to the IRS they said they needed to see the original.