If you're applying for an ITIN and you're in Miami, or can travel there, you don't need to mail your original passport to Texas. There are three ways to do it in person in South Florida: at an IRS office, at a free tax help site or with a certifying acceptance agent. Here is which one makes sense in each case and how to find them, using the IRS's official lists.
Why apply in person
You apply for an ITIN with Form W-7, usually together with your tax return, and you must prove your identity with original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. If you mail it to the IRS in Austin, Texas, your documents come back in about 60 days. If the document is your passport, that means weeks without it.
In person, they review your documents and hand them back at the end of the appointment. If you're not sure yet whether you need an ITIN, start with our ITIN guide.
The three options in Miami
| Option | Cost | Advantage | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS office (Taxpayer Assistance Center) | Free | Reviews all documents, including your dependents', and returns them at the appointment | Appointment only; it can take several weeks to get one |
| VITA site with ITIN services | Free | Helps prepare your return and application | Few sites; they mainly operate in tax season and usually have income limits |
| Certifying Acceptance Agent | Charges for its services | Usually offers earlier appointments, completes the W-7 with you and mails it to the IRS | Can't certify some dependent documents, other than passports and birth certificates |
IRS offices
According to the IRS's official list, 18 offices in Florida review ITIN documents in person. The closest to Miami are in Miami, Plantation and West Palm Beach.
- They work by appointment only. Call 844-545-5640 to schedule.
- They review original documents and certified copies for the applicant, spouse and dependents.
- Each office's exact address and hours are in the IRS office locator. Check before you go: they sometimes change.
Because appointments can take several weeks, book early, especially between January and April, which is tax season.
Free VITA sites
VITA sites are free tax help programs staffed by IRS-trained volunteers. Some have certifying acceptance agents and can process ITIN applications. In Miami-Dade, the IRS list includes two:
- Branches - Lakeview: 11500 NW 12th Ave., Miami, FL 33168.
- Branches - Florida City: 129 SW 5th Ave., Florida City, FL 33034.
The IRS says to call the site first for an appointment and to bring your complete application package. Keep in mind that these sites mainly operate during tax season and that the VITA program is designed for people with moderate incomes.
Certifying acceptance agents
Certifying acceptance agents are accountants, tax preparers and firms authorized by the IRS to verify your documents. The big advantage is speed: they complete the W-7 with you, check your documents, hand them back on the spot and mail the application to the IRS. They charge for it, and fees vary.
The IRS publishes the official Florida list, sorted by city. Coral Gables alone has more than forty agents, and there are many more across Miami-Dade and Broward. When choosing:
- Check that it's a certifying agent. On the list, acceptance agents are marked with an asterisk: they help with the form but can't certify your documents, so you'd still have to mail the originals.
- Ask for the total price up front, and whether it includes preparing your return.
- Ask whether they work in Spanish, if you need it.
How to find a certifying acceptance agent near you
- Open the IRS list for Florida. Agents are grouped by city, in alphabetical order, with their address and phone number.
- Look under your city and the ones nearby. In Miami-Dade, besides Miami, check Coral Gables, Doral, Hialeah, Miami Beach and Miami Lakes; in Broward, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, among others.
- Skip the names with an asterisk, which are acceptance agents that can't certify your documents.
- Call before you go: confirm they still process ITIN applications, ask for an appointment and the total price, and check that they can certify the documents you have.
What to bring
- Form W-7, completed or, if you're seeing an agent, with the details to complete it together.
- Your federal tax return, unless you qualify for one of the W-7 exceptions.
- Your valid passport, the only document that proves both identity and foreign status on its own. Without it, bring at least two documents from the IRS list, one with a photo.
- Your spouse's or dependents' documents, if they are applying too.
- Documents for your exception, if you use one: for example, the paperwork for a property sale.
Remember that the IRS doesn't accept photocopies or notarized copies: they must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get an ITIN in Miami?
Nothing at IRS offices or VITA sites. Certifying acceptance agents charge for their services, with fees that vary by agent and by whether preparing your return is included.
How do I find an IRS acceptance agent near me?
Use the official IRS list for your state, which groups agents by city. Choose a certifying acceptance agent, one without an asterisk, so you don't have to mail your passport, and call to confirm the appointment and the price.
Can I walk into an IRS office without an appointment?
According to the IRS, its offices work by appointment. Call 844-545-5640 before you go.
How long does the ITIN take?
The IRS says about 7 weeks, and 9 to 11 during tax season or if you apply from abroad. Applying in person speeds up getting your documents back, not the IRS's response.
Can I use a certifying acceptance agent in my home country?
Yes: the IRS has certifying acceptance agents outside the U.S. and publishes the list by country. It's useful if you won't be traveling to Miami.
Next step
With your ITIN underway, the next step is usually a bank account and, if you own a company, its yearly obligations. See how to open an account without an SSN and our Form 5472 guide.