I have to file my tax return with a W-7 application for my wife. Recently, IRS has made some interim changes to its W-7 filing requirements.
2012 ITIN Review Frequently Asked Questions

In short, IRS no longer accepts notarized copies of Indian passport or other documents. They have to be submitted in original or certified by the issuing authority, in this case, the Consulate General of India in USA.

Traveling to the consulate is an inconvenience due to the distance and time involved. Would it be safe to send original documents to the IRS? Has anybody here applied for ITIN recently? I plan to send my wife's original Indian voter's ID card and US drivers license.

You can get the certified passport photocopies from your consulate in the mail. It may take a bit of time, but that is preferred to sending the original documents to the IRS, who had been known to LOSE such documents.