[Arulmurugan]

I would like to know the updated procedure to get ITIN for my wife and children, they are living in cheenai. I took appointment and the US Consulate, chennai officials certified their passport copies and return back them, is that paspport copies (first page, last page and Visa page) along with W-7 form and State and Federal Tax copies will help to get their ITIN without any issues. Please clarifiy any other procedure to be followed. Thanks.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Do NOT go to the U.S. consulate in Chennai; they probably do NOT have the proper training to certify the passport.

Go to the Indian Interior Ministry and ask THEM to certify the passport photocopy as a ture copy, plus request an apostille to show proof that the passport is itself an authentic passport.

Submit the Indian Interior Ministry-certified photocopy with the apostille stapled to the Form W-7, and paperclip that document to the federal tax return, mailing to the ITIN center in Austin, TX.

Once you get the ITIN, then (and only then) file the state return.

[Arulmurugan]

Thanks for the reply. As per the new process ITIN procedure has been changed it seems. Please find the details are as follows :

What are the new procedural changes to the ITIN application requirements?
The IRS is revising its procedures for issuing new Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) based on an extensive review of the ITIN process and feedback from Certifying Acceptance Agents (CAAs) and Acceptance Agents (AAs), stakeholders and others. Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, must include original documentation such as passports and birth certificates, or certified copies of these documents by the issuing agency. Notarized or Apostilled copies of documentation will not be accepted.

Certified Photocopy
The Consulate also can make certified true copies of documents for use in the United States. For example, the Consulate can make a certified true copy of an Indian citizen's passport for submission with Form W-7 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Please note that the Consulate does not provide certified true copies for documents that will be submitted to Indian government authorities. Persons seeking a "true copy" for use in India should consult with an Indian notary public.


Please update to proceed further.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

What is the source of the information you have posted?

[Arulmurugan]

Source of Information is available in the below link
2013 ITIN Updated Procedures Frequently Asked Questions

Notarials | Consulate General of the United States Chennai, India

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I see about the apostille ban.

However, I suggest you call the U.S. consulate in Chennai and CONFIRM that the website for the consulate is accurate. Many of the consulates have NOT updated their websites to reflect the new ITIN procedures.

[Arulmurugan]

Yes, I had a check with US consulate in chennai via mail and fixed the appointment and they are issuing certified true copies after verifying the original passports and sign the copies with seal and the fees for this service is $50 per seal and sign to apply for the ITIN process.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I will call the CAA Hotline on Monday to confirm that the ITIN Processing Center will accept these copies from the U.S. consulate.

Normally I would accept that the U.S. consulate can do this this process at face value, but so much has changed in the past 9 months that I back-check everything.

[Arulmurugan]

Thanks for your help. Awaiting for your reply to take it forward.

[Arulmurugan]

Is there any chance to check it today...

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I called, but got voicemail.

I later realized today is a federal holiday, so the IRS offices were closed.

I will call tomorrow.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Just got off the phone with the IRS.

They WILL accept passport photocopies certified as true copies by U.S. consulates and embassies overseas.

[Arulmurugan]

Thank you very much for the update. This is really helpful for me to take it forward.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Glad to help!

[rajattripathi]

Hi Arulmurugan ,
My situation is same , my wife is in delhi .
Thanks to this thread now , I will ask my wife to get the copies from delhi counslate..

Please post once your ITIN application is submitted and they accept the certified copies.

Thanks

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Make sure she calls first for an appointment.

[rams611]

Hi ArulMurugun - Did you carry black & white copies of passport to get certify?

Or

Color copies of passport?

Thank you
Ramesh

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I know from experience that the IRS wants clear, color photocopies of the passport picture page.

[Arulmurugan]

After submitting the W-7 Form along with the true certified copies for processing, How long it will take to receive the ITIN from IRS. In my case I have submitted the application on 1st March, there is no update received yet from IRS.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Arul

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

The norm is 6-8 weeks, but some of my clients have gotten them in 3 weeks, others 10-12.