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Answered July 2026

You are still within the standard processing window.

“I sent my original passport to the IRS for an ITIN application 7 weeks ago and haven't received it back. Since I can't get through on the phone, is there a way to check if the IRS has received my passport?”

Summary

You do not need to worry that your passport is late just yet. At 7 weeks (49 days), you are still inside the normal 60-day timeframe for the IRS to return your original documents.

Read the full explanation

The difference between 7 weeks and 60 days

The 7-week timeframe applies to your ITIN application status, not your passport. The IRS advises allowing 7 weeks to notify you about your ITIN status (or 9 to 11 weeks if you apply during tax season or from overseas).

However, the timeline for getting your physical documents back is different. If you have not received your passport back within 60 days, you can then contact them.

Checking if your passport was received

The IRS does not offer an online tracking tool or system to check if they have received your passport in the mail.

Once 60 days have passed, the IRS instructs you to contact them if your passport has not arrived at the mailing address on your Form W-7.

Next steps

Since you are currently at 7 weeks (49 days), here is how to handle the rest of the waiting period.

Check your mail

The IRS mails your original documents back to the address you wrote on your Form W-7. You do not need to provide a return envelope.

Contact the IRS

If the 60 days pass and your passport has not arrived, continue trying to reach the IRS by phone.

Others who faced this

You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.

Passport missing from IRS after itin verification

u/Sweaty_Ninja_1698r/IRSJul 29, 2025

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice or to see if anyone else had a similar experience. I submitted (april) my original passport to the IRS Austin office for ITIN verification about 3 months ago. I received the ITIN after 1 month, but my passport has still not been returned. We contacted the IRS, and they submitted a missing document request. After about 30 days, I got a letter from them saying the passport had already been sent — but I never received it. Has anyone been in a similar situation in 2025? Any suggestions on what to do next or who else to contact? I’m getting really worried si
3 View on Reddit
Filed W7 for ITIN and IRS lost passport

u/Ikianotthestorer/IRSAug 16, 2025

We mailed our taxes in March because my husband is Greek national residing in Greece so we had to apply for an ITIN via mail and sent in his passport. We received the ITIN April 29 and our refund shortly after in June. It’s been months and no one can seem to help us locate the passport or provide any solution. Has any one experienced this and what was your outcome?
2 View on Reddit

Legal sources

These are the official IRS rules for ITIN processing times and document returns.

This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified tax professional or immigration attorney for your specific situation.

SettleKit is not a law firm and this is general information, not legal advice.

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