[sreekara]

I am currently working in US on H1B visa, came in 11th Jan 2007 and planning to stay till 31st Jan 08.
My wife and daughter are also came with me, they are on H4 Visa, and they will stay with me till 30th Dec 07.
I got my Social Security Number. I tried applying for ITIN for my wife and daughter but IRS personal said that I need to apply while filing my returns in Jan 08.
While applying for ITIN the local IRS office needs original passports of my wife & daughter for verification else they said I need to get the notarized or certified copies of the passport and I need to send those with my tax return form to Austin office and it would take 12 weeks to complete the process.
The local office can accept 1040 & W7 forms only if I have original documents.
As my wife & daughter are leaving in December I can’t have there passports with me.
I have asked following questions to IRS personal but I didn’t get promising answers from them.
1. Can I get back my wife and daughter’s original passport (by mail) and I could present them while filing the tax return and I can apply for ITIN. But I will not be having there original I-94 with me.
Local IRS office: It might work you can give it a try.
2. How can I get certified or notarized copies of the passports? And whom should I contact.Local IRS office: I should get certified copies from Indian passport office or US Embassy in India3. I told them that as my wife & daughter will be there till end of the year, is it possible to get certified or notarized copies in US itself?
IRS: we don’t know call IRS phone support.
IRS phone support: Please contact local IRS they could help you.Could you please help me out on these issues?
Your speedy response is highly appreciated
Thanks, Subbanna

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I have answered this question on the other forum. Please refer to that answer!