Passport (stand-alone document) ,or national identification card (must show photo, name, current address, date of birth, and expiration date) ,or U.S. driver's license ,or civil birth certificate (required for dependents under 18 years of age) ,or foreign driver's license. Fill out Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and submit it with your tax return.

For free.

An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service, not the Social Security Administration. It is not the same as an SSN, an ITIN is not to be used for employment purposes. An ITIN number is only used for tax purposes.

ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have a U.S. filing or reporting requirement under the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.

three consecutive years

three consecutive years

If you qualify for an ITIN and your application is complete, you will receive a letter from the IRS assigning your tax identification number usually within seven weeks (up to 11 weeks if requested during peak tax time (January 15 through April 30) or from abroad).

Anyone who needs to file a tax return and doesn't have a Social Security number needs to obtain an Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN. Having an ITIN enables you to file your taxes but it won't make you eligible for certain benefits.