[ray8341]

Hi All
I have a question for H4 Tax Id, I got H1B Visa and worked in California from Jan 2011, I got married Jan 2012 ,( Actually, I went back China and got the marriage certificate in China), my wife traveled us this Jun with H4 VISA, and she will go back China this week, my question is that do we need to notarize our marriage certificate in US right now, I 'm preparing those documents for tax report in next year . I will apply for TaxId for her in next year, I don't know whether we need to notarize or not,any suggestions?
Thanks a lot.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

You do NOT have to have the marriage certificate notarized.

To get your wife an Individual Tax Identification Number, you must make a photocopy of her UNexpired passport and have that passport CERTIFIED by the Chinese government as a "true copy". This can be done IN china or bu the Chinese consulate.

This CERTIFIED passport photocopy is stapled to the Form W-7 (which is signed by your wife), and then submitted with the joint 2012 tax return (signed by BOTH of you).

[ray8341]

Hi AtlantaTaxExpert
I understood , Can we do a notarization for marriage certificate in US right now since my wife is in US? I mean it's convenient for us notarizing in US right now.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

If you want to noatrize the marriage certificate here in the U.S. fine, but it is NOT required. The IRS normally does NOT ask to see the marriage certificate, because the fact that you are married is documented on the visa.

[Fr_Chuck]

There is no need to do it, why are you wanting to do it, it does not make it any more or less valid in the US

[ray8341]

Thanks all

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Glad to help!