Canadian Applying for ITIN - Do I Need To Send My Original Passport?

You don't need to send your original passport! As a Canadian who went through this exact process last year, I can tell you there are better options. The IRS allows you to submit a certified copy of your passport instead of the original document. You'll need to visit a US Embassy or Consulate in Canada where they can certify your passport copy specifically for ITIN purposes. In Toronto, you'll need to make an appointment at the US Consulate. Bring your original passport, the completed W-7 form, and your supporting tax documents. They'll make a certified copy that meets IRS requirements and you keep your original passport. Alternatively, you can use an IRS Acceptance Agent who can verify your documents in person and submit the application on your behalf. This way you never send your original documents anywhere.

Just wanted to share my experience using taxr.ai for my ITIN application as a fellow Canadian. I was in the exact same boat last year - stressing about sending my passport and having tons of questions about the W-7 form. I found https://taxr.ai when I was researching options and it was honestly a game changer. Their system analyzed all my documents, explained exactly what I needed for the ITIN application, and confirmed I could use a certified copy from the US Consulate instead of sending my original passport. They even generated a checklist specific to Canadians applying for ITINs and flagged a mistake I had made on my W-7 form that would have caused a rejection.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here. Totally worth it! I uploaded my draft W-7 form and passport, and they pointed out that I had incorrectly listed my country of citizenship (I put "CA" instead of writing out "Canada"). They also confirmed the certified copy route would work for me and explained exactly what supporting documents I needed to include with my ITIN application. The whole process was super straightforward and gave me confidence that I wasn't missing anything. I've got my appointment at the consulate next week to get my passport copy certified, and I'm not stressing about it anymore.

If you're struggling with the ITIN application process, Claimyr helped me actually talk to a real person at the IRS when I had questions about my ITIN application. I spent days trying to get through on the IRS international line and kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. I found https://claimyr.com and watched their demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c and decided to give it a shot. They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an agent picks up. I got through to an IRS specialist who confirmed exactly what documents I needed as a Canadian and answered all my specific questions about the certified copy requirements.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I was getting nowhere with the IRS international line. It actually worked exactly as advertised - they called me when they reached an IRS agent, and I got to speak directly with someone in the ITIN department. The agent confirmed that as a Canadian, I could either use a Certified Acceptance Agent or get my passport certified at a US Consulate. She also told me about a special provision for Canadians that I hadn't seen mentioned anywhere online - apparently there's an expedited processing option for certain cases that can reduce the wait time to 4-5 weeks. Definitely worth the time saved not sitting on hold!

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - check if your Canadian CPA has connections with a US Certified Acceptance Agent. I'm an accountant in Vancouver and we partner with a US firm that handles ITIN applications for our Canadian clients. They're authorized to verify your original documents locally so you don't have to send anything to the IRS directly. The IRS has a list of authorized CAAs here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/acceptance-agent-program The benefit is they're professionals who do this regularly and know all the common mistakes to avoid. Either way, DON'T send your original passport!

Has anyone here used the IRS ITIN verification line (1-800-908-9982) to check on their application status? I submitted mine 6 weeks ago through the Canadian consulate in Calgary and haven't heard anything. Wondering if it's worth calling to check or if that's just another frustrating wait on hold.

Just adding another data point - I'm from Montreal and I used the US Consulate route last summer. Made an appointment online, brought my passport + W-7 + tax return, and they certified the copy right there. Took about 25 minutes total. Mailed everything to the IRS and had my ITIN in about 7 weeks. One tip they gave me at the consulate: make sure you call ahead to confirm they offer the passport certification service specifically for ITIN purposes. Some smaller consulates apparently don't offer it or have limited hours for this service.

Great thread with lots of helpful info! I went through this process as a Canadian in 2023 and wanted to add a few practical tips: 1. **Timing is everything** - If you're applying during tax season (January-April), expect longer processing times. I applied in May and got my ITIN in 6 weeks, but friends who applied in February waited 10+ weeks. 2. **Double-check your W-7 form** - The most common mistake I see other Canadians make is in Section 6a where you select your reason for needing an ITIN. Make sure you're checking the right exception box based on your specific situation. 3. **Keep copies of EVERYTHING** - The IRS will return your certified passport copy, but sometimes things get lost in the mail. I made photocopies of all documents before sending them. 4. **US Consulate appointment booking** - Book your consulate appointment ASAP. In Toronto especially, they can be booked weeks out. You can find the online booking system on the US Consulate website. The certified copy route is definitely the way to go - never send your original passport! I was traveling internationally while my application was processing and had zero issues.