For ITIN applications, the IRS does NOT accept notarized copies or apostilles of Indian passports.
Only IRS-approved passport certification methods are valid.
This means standard notary attestation in India or apostille services will result in rejection.
Only the following are accepted:
IRS-authorized Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)
U.S. Embassy / Consulate
Indian Embassy / Consulate in the USA
This rule has been strictly enforced since 2011.
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued by the IRS to individuals who must file U.S. tax returns but are not eligible for an SSN.
Indian citizens dealing with U.S. compliance and overseas documentation often need professional attestation and verification services to avoid errors.
NRIs with U.S. income or investments
Indian students (F-1 / J-1 / M-1 visas)
Dependents of H-1B / L-1 visa holders
Indian owners of U.S. LLCs or partnerships
Beneficiaries of U.S. trusts or estates
Tax treaty claimants
Spouses filing joint U.S. tax returns
ITIN Validity Reminder
Unused ITINs expire after three consecutive years of non-filing. Many ITINs will expire on 31 December 2026 if not renewed.
A passport is the only document that proves both identity and foreign status for ITIN purposes.
Certified copy by an IRS CAA
Certification by U.S. Embassy / Consulate
Certification by Indian Embassy / Consulate (USA)
Indian notarization
Apostille
Local notary stamp
Self-attested or scanned copies
Many applicants mistakenly use passport copy attestation services meant for visas, which are not valid for ITIN applications.
A properly certified passport copy must include:
Copies of all passport pages (including blank pages)
Official stamp or seal
Name, signature, and designation of certifying officer
Date of certification
Official contact details
Choose certification route: CAA or Embassy / Consulate
Get the passport certified correctly
Complete Form W-7 (original, pen-signed)
Attach the tax return or valid exception
Submit via IRS mail, CAA, or in person (if in the U.S.)
Applicants often seek end-to-end document attestation services to ensure compliance at every stage.
Using notarized or apostilled passport copies
Name mismatch between passport and Form W-7
Missing original signature
Incorrect exception reason
Expired passport
Each rejection can delay processing by two to three months.
Use a Certified Acceptance Agent for faster processing
Ensure the name matches exactly across all documents
Do not submit electronic signatures
Keep copies of all submissions
Apply early, especially during tax season
This page is a quick overview.
For complete compliance support, consult PEC Attestation experts for:
Detailed Form W-7 guidance
Embassy vs CAA comparison
Common IRS notices (CP567) explained
Renewal rules and timelines
Real-world ITIN case examples
PEC Attestation supports Indian applicants with:
Passport certification guidance
CAA coordination
Error-free ITIN documentation
End-to-end compliance support
Avoid rejection by following only IRS-approved certification methods.