ITIN renewal requires the same documents as an original ITIN application, meaning you must provide proof of both identity and foreign status using one of thirteen IRS-acceptable documents. The easiest option is a valid passport, which works as a stand-alone document proving both requirements at once without needing additional paperwork. If you don't have a passport, you can use specific document combinations like a birth certificate paired with a national ID card.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Documents Required | Same 13 acceptable documents as the original ITIN application |
| Best Option | Valid passport (stand-alone document) |
| Acceptable Format | Original documents, OR certified copies, OR CAA-authenticated |
| Name Changes | Marriage certificate or court order required if name changed |
| Form W-7 Step | Check "Renewal" box (line 6e) and enter expired ITIN (line 6f) |
| Cannot use | Regular photocopies, notarized copies, and expired documents |
The IRS treats ITIN renewals exactly like original applications, which means you cannot take shortcuts or skip documents simply because you applied years ago. This policy exists because years may have passed since your original application, and the IRS needs to verify that your information remains accurate.
Your original documents may have expired since you first applied, and the IRS has no way of knowing your current situation without fresh verification. The agency does not keep your original documents on file, so they cannot reference what you submitted during your first application process.
Think of the renewal process as re-verifying your information rather than a simplified update to your existing records in the IRS database system. If you still have the same documents from your original application, you can reuse them as long as they have not expired since that time.
Check all expiration dates carefully before submitting because expired documents will cause your renewal application to be rejected by the IRS processing center. The ITIN overview page explains more about how the renewal process works and what the IRS expects.
| Document Type | Proves Identity | Proves Foreign Status | Stand-Alone or Combination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | Yes | Stand-alone (best option) |
| National ID Card | Yes | Yes | Combination |
| U.S. Driver’s License | Yes | No | Combination |
| Civil Birth Certificate | Partial | Yes | Combination |
| Foreign Driver’s License | Yes | Yes | Combination |
| U.S. State ID Card | Yes | No | Combination |
| Foreign Voter Registration Card | Yes | Yes | Combination |
| U.S. Military ID | Yes | No | Combination |
| Foreign Military ID | Yes | Yes | Combination |
| Visa | Yes | Yes | Combination |
| USCIS Photo ID | Yes | Partial | Combination |
| Medical Records | Yes | No | Combination (under 6 only) |
| School Records | Yes | No | Combination (under 18 students) |
The "Proves Identity" column indicates whether a document establishes who you are through photo identification, your name, and date of birth information. Documents that prove identity contain personal identifying information that the IRS uses to verify you are the person claiming the renewal.
The "Proves Foreign Status" column shows whether the document demonstrates that you are not a United States citizen and have citizenship elsewhere. Stand-alone documents like passports prove both requirements simultaneously, while combination documents must be paired with another acceptable document to cover both needs.
Medical records are only acceptable for dependents under age six and must come from a U.S. healthcare provider, like a doctor or hospital. School records work for dependents under fourteen at any school level, while children ages fourteen through seventeen must be currently enrolled students.
All documents must be current and not expired, must be legible and clear, and must show all required information, including photos where applicable. Review the ITIN FAQ for more details about specific document questions applicants commonly ask.
A valid passport is the only document that works completely alone for ITIN renewal without requiring any additional supporting documentation from the applicant. This stand-alone status makes the passport the most straightforward option for anyone who has one available and is currently valid.
Passports prove both identity and foreign status simultaneously because they contain your photo, personal information, and confirmation of your citizenship in another country. Every country's passport is accepted for ITIN purposes, and the format works for applicants of all ages, including both adults and children.
Your passport must be valid and not expired on the date you submit your ITIN renewal application to the IRS processing center. The name on your passport must match exactly the name you enter on Form W-7 to avoid processing delays and requests for additional information.
If you have a current passport that matches your legal name, this should always be your first choice for ITIN renewal documentation. The Form W-7 instructions confirm that passports remain the preferred documentation option for all applicants.
If your passport has expired, you can renew it first through your country's consulate or use a document combination instead of waiting. Common combinations include a birth certificate with a national ID card or a birth certificate with a foreign driver's license for identity and foreign status verification.
If your passport was lost or stolen, report it to your country's consulate and either obtain a replacement or proceed with alternative acceptable documents. Using a CAA allows you to authenticate your passport at an in-person appointment and keep your original immediately.
When using document combinations instead of a passport, you must prove both identity and foreign status through the documents you select together. One document may prove only your identity, while another proves your foreign status, and together they satisfy all IRS verification requirements.
Common successful combinations include birth certificate plus national ID card, birth certificate plus foreign driver's license, and birth certificate plus school records for students. Each of these pairings covers identity verification and foreign status proof through the combined information on both documents.
A U.S. driver's license combined with a U.S. state ID card does not work because both documents prove only identity without any foreign status verification. Two birth certificates submitted together also fail because they only prove foreign status without providing the photo identification that identity verification requires.
Before finalizing your document selection, verify that you have at least one document proving identity and at least one proving foreign status in your combination.
| Method | Format | Processing | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mail Originals | Original documents | 60 days return | Free | Risk: long wait |
| Certified Copies | Agency-certified | No return needed | Keep originals | $20-75/doc cost |
| CAA Authentication | Originals shown to CAA | Keep the same day | Keep originals; review | $100-500 fee |
| TAC Verification | Originals shown at IRS | Keep the same day | Free | Limited locations |
When you mail original documents to the IRS, the agency verifies authenticity and returns them separately after processing within approximately sixty days or longer. This option costs nothing beyond postage but requires you to be without your passport or other originals for two to three months.
Certified copies come from the agency that originally issued the document, such as the vital records office for birth certificates or the embassy for passports. To obtain a certified birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the city or country where you were born, with processing typically taking two to eight weeks.
Certifying Acceptance Agents are IRS-authorized to examine and authenticate original documents, create certified copies, and submit those copies to the IRS on your behalf. You bring your original documents to a CAA appointment, the agent verifies them in person, and you keep your originals immediately afterward.
The CAA services option is particularly helpful for family renewals where multiple people need document authentication at one convenient appointment.
If your legal name has changed since your original ITIN application due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must include documentation proving the change. Marriage certificates work for name changes resulting from marriage and must be original or certified copies from the government vital records office.
Divorce decrees serve the same purpose for those returning to a maiden name or changing names through divorce proceedings handled in court. Court orders are required for legal name changes that occurred outside of marriage or divorce, such as name changes for personal reasons.
Include your name change document in addition to your regular identity and foreign status documents when assembling your renewal package for submission. On Form W-7, enter your current legal name at Line 1a and your name at birth at Line 1b if different.
The document guidance page provides additional information about obtaining name change documentation from various sources domestically and internationally.
Line 6e - Reason for Submitting (MUST CHECK): Check the box for "Renewal of existing ITIN" to indicate this is a renewal rather than a new application request.
Line 6f - ITIN to be Renewed (MUST COMPLETE): Enter your existing 9-digit ITIN being renewed in the format 9XX-XX-XXXX exactly as it appears on previous documents.
Line 1a - Current Legal Name: Enter your name exactly as it should appear in IRS records, matching the documents you are submitting with the renewal.
Line 1b - Name at Birth: Complete only if your name has changed since birth, providing your original name to help the IRS connect records.
Checking "Apply for new ITIN" instead of "Renewal of existing ITIN" at Line 6e causes the IRS to process your submission incorrectly. This mistake may result in a new ITIN being issued instead of renewing your existing number, creating confusion in your tax records.
Forgetting to enter your old ITIN at Line 6f prevents the IRS from connecting your renewal to your existing records in their system. Find your expired ITIN on old tax returns or your CP 565 notice from your original application if you don't remember the number.
Name mismatches between Form W-7 and your submitted documents trigger requests for clarification that delay processing by weeks or months. Verify that every document shows the same name or include proper name change documentation to explain any discrepancies before mailing.
Dependents under six years old need a birth certificate plus medical records from a U.S. healthcare provider or a passport if available. Dependents ages six through seventeen need a birth certificate plus school records or other age-appropriate identification documents from the acceptable list.
Birth certificates are mandatory for all dependents under eighteen and cannot be substituted with other documents, regardless of other documentation submitted. Adult dependents eighteen and older follow the same documentation rules as primary applicants and can use passports or standard document combinations.
Each family member needs a separate Form W-7 with the renewal box checked and their own expired ITIN entered at Line 6f. One tax return serves the entire family when submitting multiple renewals together with all individual Form W-7 applications attached to that single return.
Using regular photocopies instead of originals or certified copies results in automatic rejection because the IRS cannot verify document authenticity from simple copies. Submitting an expired passport fails because all documents must be currently valid on the date of submission to the IRS processing center.
Missing birth certificates for dependents under eighteen causes automatic rejection because this document became mandatory for all minors in twenty eighteen. Sending documents without the completed Form W-7 means nothing can be processed because the form is required for every ITIN renewal submission.
Notarized copies that are not also certified by the issuing agency are not accepted because notarization alone does not make a copy officially certified. Hospital birth certificates, instead of civil registration certificates, also fail to meet IRS requirements and trigger requests for proper government-issued documentation.
Are the documents for ITIN renewal different from the original application?
No, ITIN renewal requires the same thirteen acceptable documents as an original application for a new ITIN number. You must prove identity and foreign status again, even though you previously applied and received approval for your original ITIN.
Can I use the same passport I used for my original ITIN?
Yes, if your passport is still valid and has not expired since your original application was submitted to the IRS years ago. If your passport has expired, you must renew it first or use alternative acceptable documents instead of the expired passport.
Do I need to send original documents or can I send copies?
You can send original documents returned in sixty days, certified copies from the issuing agency, or have documents authenticated by a CAA. Regular photocopies and notarized copies that are not also certified by the issuing agency are not accepted for ITIN purposes.
What if my name has changed since I got my ITIN?
Include name change documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, with your renewal application to prove the change. Your Form W-7 should reflect your current legal name, and you must prove the name change with appropriate official documents.
Can I renew my ITIN without a passport?
Yes, if you don't have a valid passport, use a combination of acceptable documents that together prove both identity and foreign status. Common combinations include a birth certificate plus a national ID card or a birth certificate plus a driver's license from your home country.
What's the difference between a notarized copy and a certified copy?
A certified copy is issued by the original document's issuing agency, like the vital records office, with official stamps and seals confirming authenticity. A notarized copy is just a regular copy that a notary confirmed matches the original, which is not acceptable for ITIN purposes.
Can a CAA keep my original documents?
No, CAAs authenticate your original documents in person, create certified copies, and submit those copies to the IRS while you keep the originals immediately. You leave the CAA appointment with all your original documents, and no mailing or sixty-day wait period is required for returns.
What happens if I send the wrong documents?
The IRS will send a CP 566 notice requesting correct documents, and you'll have forty-five days to provide proper documentation for renewal. This adds six to eight weeks to your renewal timeline, so submitting correct documents initially saves significant time and avoids complications.
What if I'm renewing ITINs for my whole family?
Each family member needs a separate Form W-7 and separate documents, but you can submit all renewals together with one tax return attached. Consider CAA services for families since one appointment can authenticate documents for everyone being renewed at once.
Gathering proper documents for ITIN renewal can be complicated, especially with name changes, international documents, or family renewals involving multiple applicants. Easy Tax Store provides ITIN services, including document assessment, CAA authentication, and name change documentation coordination.
Our CAA services allow you to authenticate documents without mailing originals and receive a professional review before IRS submission. Get a quote or contact us to discuss your renewal needs.
ITIN renewal requires the same thirteen acceptable documents as original applications, with valid passports being the best stand-alone option for applicants. Document combinations work when passports are unavailable, and all documents must be originals, certified copies, or CAA-authenticated. Form W-7 must have the renewal box checked at Line 6e with your expired ITIN at Line 6f.
Next step: Review the acceptable documents above and begin gathering your renewal documentation.