Can You Apply for an ITIN Without a Valid Passport?
A valid passport is not the only ITIN document route. Compare alternative identity documents, expired-passport limits, certified copies, and CAA assistance.
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Yes—an eligible applicant can apply for an ITIN without a valid passport, but must use an acceptable combination of supporting documents. A passport is the only standalone identity and foreign-status document; without it, the IRS generally requires at least two current documents that together establish both, with a photograph subject to limited dependent exceptions. An expired passport does not become acceptable merely because a copy is certified. Sources: IRS supporting-document requirements, Tax Topic 857.
This guide focuses on adult nonresident applicants. Children and applicants claimed as dependents can have additional age, relationship, and US-residency requirements.
First confirm that you need an ITIN
Documents establish who you are; they do not establish that you qualify for an ITIN. You need a federal tax purpose and must not be eligible for an SSN. Form W-7 generally goes with a federal tax return unless a listed exception applies and you provide the required exception evidence. Owning an LLC or wanting a US bank account does not, by itself, establish a qualifying application. Source: Form W-7 instructions.
If the number you actually need is the company's tax identifier, review the EIN service and eligibility information before preparing a personal application. An EIN belongs to the entity; an ITIN is an individual's federal tax-processing number.
Compare the document routes
The following table is a pre-application checklist based on the IRS document rules. It is not a guarantee that a particular document will be accepted.
| Document or proposed combination | What it can establish | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Identity and foreign status | Certain dependents need additional US-residency evidence |
| Qualifying national identification card plus another accepted document | A national ID can support identity and foreign status | It is not standalone; check required name, photo, address, birthdate, and expiration information |
| Current foreign driver's license plus foreign civil birth certificate | License supports identity; foreign birth certificate supports foreign status | Both documents must meet IRS requirements and identify the same applicant |
| Two driver's licenses | Identity evidence | Does not supply foreign-status evidence merely because one license is foreign |
| Expired passport plus an ordinary photocopy of another ID | An incomplete proposed package | Expiration and copy requirements remain unresolved |
Source: IRS acceptable supporting documents and additional requirements. The IRS accepts a defined list of 13 document types. Do not substitute bank statements, utility bills, or an LLC formation certificate for adult identity and foreign-status evidence just because they display your name.
Current documents and certified copies are separate tests
The IRS requires supporting identification to be current on the date the application is submitted. A civil birth certificate is treated as current because it has no expiration date. Other documents must satisfy their applicable validity requirements. Source: IRS supporting-document requirements.
The copy rule is different: the IRS generally requires originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. A routine notarized photocopy is not the same as an issuing-agency-certified copy. There are narrow exceptions, including certain overseas military-family applications; do not apply those exceptions to an ordinary adult nonresident case. The IRS also identifies embassy and consular certification options, with availability to be checked in advance. Source: IRS certified-copy guidance.
Practical example: an applicant has an expired passport, a current foreign driver's license, and a foreign civil birth certificate. Instead of assuming the expired passport is enough, the applicant can ask whether the license-and-certificate combination meets the rules and which originals or certified copies are required. Renewing the passport is another option, but it is not the only possible document path.
What a CAA can—and cannot—change
A Certifying Acceptance Agent can assist with the application and authenticate eligible documents within the program's rules. A CAA cannot create a tax reason, make an expired identity document current, or guarantee IRS approval. Confirm that the agent can authenticate your particular document types and handle your applicant category before booking. Source: Form W-7 instructions, acceptance agents.
Other routes include mailing an eligible package or using an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center that provides the relevant document-authentication service. Availability and which documents can be authenticated matter. Our CAA, mail, and TAC comparison explains the trade-offs without assuming you must mail your passport.
Prepare these details before asking for help
List the document types you hold, their issuing countries, expiration dates where applicable, whether names match, and whether you have originals or issuing-agency-certified copies. Also identify the federal return or exception that supports your application.
Start with that inventory rather than sending sensitive scans through a general contact form. The preparer can first confirm service fit and the appropriate secure document process. Do not buy assistance on the assumption that it removes the evidence requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an expired passport for an ITIN?
Supporting identification must be current when submitted. Consider a current passport or a qualifying alternative-document combination rather than relying on the expired passport.
Is a foreign driver's license sufficient by itself?
No. The IRS lists a foreign driver's license as identity-only evidence. You also need acceptable foreign-status evidence and must satisfy the remaining application requirements.
Will any two IDs work?
No. They must be accepted document types, satisfy validity and copy rules, and together establish identity and foreign status. A photo is generally required, with limited dependent exceptions.
Ready to check an alternative-document application? Contact Form5472 Prep to confirm ITIN service fit, then review the ITIN preparation and CAA service. Document acceptance and ITIN approval remain IRS decisions.
Educational content only; not tax, legal, or immigration advice.