Can I Apply for an ITIN Online? What Is Possible in 2026
The IRS has no online ITIN portal, but you can complete the whole process from home with a Certifying Acceptance Agent and keep your passport.
Muhammad Abuzar Updated November 2026 5 min read
Can I apply for an ITIN online?
Not directly with the IRS. Form W-7 is a paper application, and the IRS does not offer an online portal for it. You can still do everything from home: a Certifying Acceptance Agent collects your details online, verifies your passport on a video call and sends the application to the IRS for you, so your original passport never leaves your hands.
1The three ways to apply
| Method | How it works | Passport |
|---|---|---|
| By mail to the IRS | You post Form W-7, your tax return and identity documents to the IRS | Original or certified copy is mailed |
| IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center | In person appointment inside the United States | Shown in person |
| Certifying Acceptance Agent | The agent verifies your documents and submits the application | Stays with you |
2How the online process works with Be Filing
- You fill in a short form in the portal, which takes a few minutes.
- You upload a clear scan of your passport and join a short video call so we can verify it.
- We prepare Form W-7 and the supporting documents and send them to the IRS.
- The IRS mails its decision, and we share your ITIN with you as soon as it is issued.
3How long it takes
IRS processing usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. During tax season it can take 16 weeks or a little longer.
4Watch out for fake online ITIN sites
No website can issue an ITIN instantly. Only the IRS assigns the number, and it always arrives in an IRS notice called CP565.
Not sure whether you qualify? The ITIN eligibility checker gives you an answer in three questions.
Official sources
- IRS: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- IRS: About Form W-7
- IRS: Acceptance Agent Program
Be Filing Inc is a Certifying Acceptance Agent. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and rules can change. Last reviewed in November 2026.
Quick questions, answered
Short, direct answers. If yours is not here, NIA or our team will help.
Ask on WhatsAppCan I email my Form W-7 to the IRS?
No. The IRS does not accept Form W-7 by email or through an online upload.
Do I need to send my original passport?
Not when you apply through a Certifying Acceptance Agent, because the agent verifies it for the IRS.
Can I apply for an ITIN from outside the United States?
Yes. Most Be Filing ITIN clients apply from their home country.
How much does the ITIN application cost?
The IRS does not charge a fee. The Be Filing service is $170.
Need an ITIN without mailing your passport?
Be Filing is a Certifying Acceptance Agent. The ITIN application is $170, and your passport stays with you.
