The IRS says your mailed passport can take up to 60 days to return, but with travel in two months you should not count on that deadline—or assume you must mail the original at all.
“I applied for an ITIN and got rejected, so now I have to mail my actual passport with my W-7 form to the IRS in Texas. How long does it typically take for them to return the passport? I have international travel planned in two months.”
Summary
You do have ways to correct an identity-document problem while keeping your passport for travel, provided you address the actual reason for rejection. If you have already mailed it, the IRS offers a way to follow up, but it does not promise arrival before your trip.
If you have not mailed the passport yet, you can correct the rejected application without necessarily giving up the original before your trip.
A designated can review your W-7 package and authenticate your passport, then return the authenticated document at the end of your appointment. The IRS says this application route is free; book at 844-545-5640. [IRS TAC locations and appointments](https://www.irs.gov/help/irs-taxpayer-assistance-centers-providing-in-person-itin-document-review) · [IRS application guidance](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/how-to-apply-for-an-itin)
An IRS-approved can authenticate the passport and return it immediately, then mail the application package for processing. CAAs work in the United States and abroad; their fees vary. Choose a certifying agent, not an ordinary acceptance agent that mails supporting documents. [IRS acceptance-agent directory](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-acceptance-agents) · [Form W-7 instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7)
If your passport’s issuing agency can provide a with its official seal, submit that instead of the original passport. A valid passport or its certified copy is ordinarily a stand-alone identity and foreign-status document; include the required U.S. visa pages when applicable. [IRS supporting documents](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-supporting-documents) · [Form W-7 instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7)
This remains an option, including if you have already sent it, but it puts your travel plans at risk: the IRS gives an up-to-60-day document-return estimate while its more recent FAQ says originals return after processing and describes processing as within 11 weeks after receipt. A prepaid Express Mail or courier return envelope can speed return delivery, not guarantee when processing finishes. [IRS supporting documents](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-supporting-documents) · [IRS documentation FAQ](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/itin-documentation-frequently-asked-questions-faqs) · [Form W-7 instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7)
Each document route still requires you to fix the reason stated in the rejection notice. [IRS CP567 guidance](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp567-notice)
Read the full explanationHide the full explanation
Watch out for
Next steps
First identify what caused the rejection; then choose how to provide valid documents without risking your travel passport if you still have it.
Before submitting anything
Read the rejection notice and correct its stated problem
If the notice is CP567, prepare a fully completed new Form W-7 and correct the reason it gives; the IRS says to confirm that you are not eligible for a Social Security number. If it is CP566, that is a request for more information rather than a rejection. For a CP567 reapplication after you already filed the tax return, attach a copy labeled as a copy rather than filing the same return anew. [IRS CP567 guidance](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp567-notice) · [IRS application guidance](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/how-to-apply-for-an-itin)
Requirements
If the original has not been mailed
Choose a way to prove identity while keeping your passport
For a designated IRS document-review appointment, call 844-545-5640; the IRS says applying there is free and authenticated documents are returned at the appointment. Alternatively, use the IRS directory at https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-acceptance-agents; agent fees vary. A third option is a passport copy certified by its issuing agency, including U.S. visa pages if required for your application. [IRS TAC guidance](https://www.irs.gov/help/irs-taxpayer-assistance-centers-providing-in-person-itin-document-review) · [IRS acceptance agents](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-acceptance-agents) · [Form W-7 instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7)
Requirements
After fixing the rejection
Submit the corrected W-7 package
Use the address printed on a CP567 notice for your new application and paperwork. The general Form W-7 postal address is Internal Revenue Service, ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342; for a private delivery service, the instructions list Internal Revenue Service, ITIN Operation, Mail Stop 6090-AUSC, 3651 S. Interregional Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78741-0000. Do not use the ordinary tax-return mailing address. If you must mail the original passport, you may include a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope for faster *return delivery*, but it does not establish an earlier processing date. [IRS CP567 guidance](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp567-notice) · [Form W-7 instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7)
Requirements
If more than 60 days have passed since mailing
Follow up if an already-mailed passport has not returned
The IRS says to contact it if original documents have not come back after 60 days. For a missing original, its ITIN FAQ lists 800-908-9982 from within the United States or 267-941-1000 from abroad (not toll-free). The passport is mailed to the address on line 2 of your W-7. [IRS supporting documents](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-supporting-documents) · [IRS documentation FAQ](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/itin-documentation-frequently-asked-questions-faqs)
Requirements
Legal sources
This answer draws on IRS Form W-7 instructions, IRS ITIN document guidance, and the IRS’s CP567 notice guidance.
IRS ITIN supporting documents
The IRS gives an estimate for returning documents mailed with Form W-7.
How to submit documents
We’ll return your supporting documents to the mailing address on line 2 of your Form W-7. It can take up to 60 days to get them back.
IRS ITIN documentation FAQ
The IRS’s more recent FAQ ties original-document return to processing and describes its current processing timeframe.
Will the IRS return my original documents to me?
Original documents will be returned to the address on record after processing your application. The IRS is currently processing Form W-7s within 11 weeks after receipt.
IRS CP567 notice guidance
A rejected ITIN application requires a corrected new application and supporting paperwork.
What you need to do
Send us a new application. Fill it out completely. Answer all the questions. Attach the correct documents. Attach copies of your tax return and paperwork to it.
IRS CP567 notice guidance
A CP567 reapplication uses a marked copy of the previously filed return and the address on the notice.
Do I need to file a new tax return when I reapply?
Just attach a copy of it to the application. Indicate it is a copy. Send the application with your paperwork to the address on the notice.
IRS TAC ITIN document review
An IRS document-review appointment lets the applicant keep authenticated documents after the visit.
Your documents will be returned to you at the end of your appointment. IRS TACs operate by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 844-545-5640.
IRS How to apply for an ITIN
The designated IRS office route does not charge an application-assistance fee.
Apply in person
Apply for free at a Taxpayer Assistance Center in the U.S.
Form W-7 instructions (12/2024)
A certifying acceptance agent can hand back authenticated documentation.
Where To Apply
The CAA will return the documentation immediately after reviewing its authenticity.
IRS ITIN acceptance agents
The IRS lists approved agents at home and abroad and says their fees vary.
You can get help applying for an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) with an IRS-approved acceptance agent in the U.S. and abroad. Fees for service may vary.
Form W-7 instructions (12/2024)
A copy certified by the agency that issued the passport can replace mailing the original.
Supporting Documentation Requirements
Have the copies certified by the issuing agency.
IRS ITIN supporting documents
A valid passport or certified copy ordinarily supplies both types of required evidence by itself.
Passport
A passport is the only stand-alone document. If you submit an original valid passport or certified copy, you don’t need to submit any other supporting documents.
IRS ITIN supporting documents
An ordinary notarization is insufficient, subject to the stated military-family exception.
Certified copies
We don’t accept notarized documents. Exception: Dependents and spouses of U.S. military personnel may submit original documents, certified copies or notarized copies of identification documents if they’re applying from an overseas or APO/FPO address.
Form W-7 instructions (12/2024)
Some certified passport copies must contain the U.S. visa pages.
Supporting Documentation Requirements
Certified copies of a passport from the issuing agency must include the U.S. visa pages if a visa is required for your Form W-7 application.
Form W-7 instructions (12/2024)
An applicant mailing originals can provide a faster return-delivery envelope.
Supporting Documentation Requirements
Applicants are permitted to include a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope for faster return delivery of their documents and to ensure the secure delivery of valuable documents, such as passports. The IRS will then return the documents in the envelope provided by the applicant.
IRS ITIN supporting documents
The IRS invites follow-up when mailed originals have not returned after 60 days.
How to submit documents
If it’s been over 60 days since you mailed original supporting documents, contact us.
IRS ITIN documentation FAQ
The IRS provides domestic and international numbers for missing original documents.
Whom should I contact if I do not receive the documents?
If your original documents aren’t returned after the timeframe noted above, you can call the IRS at 800-908-9982 (U.S. only) or for international, call 267-941-1000 (this is not a toll-free number).
IRS CP567 notice guidance
The rejection notice’s address governs where this reapplication goes.
Do I need to file a new tax return when I reapply?
Send the application with your paperwork to the address on the notice.
Form W-7 instructions (12/2024)
A W-7 package must not be sent to the ordinary tax-return mailing address.
Where To Apply
If you mail your application, don’t use the mailing address in the instructions for your tax return (for example, Form 1040-NR).
IRS CP567 notice guidance
A passport alone does not remedy a rejection based on SSN eligibility.
What you need to do
Make sure you don't qualify for a Social Security number (SSN) and you qualify for an ITIN.
These are the IRS rules and guidance as published on the cited dates; rules and processing conditions can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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