What documentation does an undocumented immigrant need to obtain an SSN or ITIN in the United States?
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Executive summary
Undocumented immigrants cannot get a Social Security number (SSN) unless they are lawfully present; those who cannot obtain an SSN may apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS to file federal taxes [1] [2]. To get an ITIN applicants generally file Form W‑7 with a tax return and must provide identity and foreign status documents such as passports or certified birth certificates — rules summarized by legal‑aid and advocacy groups and the IRS [3] [1] [4].
1. What an SSN requires — and why most undocumented people don’t qualify
The Social Security Administration issues SSNs to U.S. citizens and to noncitizens who are lawfully present and eligible to work; undocumented immigrants who lack lawful status are ineligible for an SSN, so they cannot obtain one through standard SSA procedures [2]. Reuters and other explainers reiterate that SSNs are tied to lawful presence and work authorization, and that undocumented workers sometimes resort to other means to file taxes because they cannot obtain a legitimate SSN [2].
2. The ITIN is the tax alternative — purpose and limits
The IRS issues ITINs solely for federal tax processing to individuals who cannot get an SSN; the number does not confer work authorization, change immigration status, or provide Social Security benefits [1] [2]. Multiple advocacy organizations stress that ITINs allow tax filing, opening some bank accounts, and establishing a tax record, but they remain limited to tax purposes and do not substitute for an SSN in many non‑tax contexts [4] [5].
3. The documents you must submit to get an ITIN
Authoritative guidance and nonprofit guides say applicants submit IRS Form W‑7 with a federal tax return (unless an exception applies) and prove identity and foreign status with original or certified copies of documents — most commonly a passport; acceptable alternatives include national ID cards or certified birth certificates depending on circumstance [3] [1] [4]. Illinois Legal Aid advises the tax return is prepared first and attached to the W‑7, while Immigrants Rising and TheDream.US list passports and similar government IDs as primary documents [3] [4] [5].
4. Practical steps and processing expectations
Nonprofit guides recommend preparing the federal tax return, completing Form W‑7, and submitting originals or certified copies of identity documents through IRS procedures (including in‑person acceptance agents or mail), after which the IRS issues the ITIN; publications note processing can take several weeks and unused ITINs expire after three consecutive years of nonuse [3] [1] [4]. The Dream.US and Immigrants Rising resources point to free or low‑cost tax assistance programs to help applicants assemble correct documentation [5] [4].
5. Where ITINs won’t substitute for SSNs — state and federal limits
Several federal and state programs require an SSN and explicitly do not accept ITINs: for example, public housing programs and HUD‑administered vouchers require valid SSNs, and states vary on whether they accept ITINs for driver’s licenses or ID cards [6] [7]. Advocacy and legal sites warn that while some banks accept ITINs, many government benefit or eligibility processes still require SSNs [6] [4].
6. Privacy, enforcement risk, and changing policy
The IRS long maintained legal limits on sharing taxpayer information for immigration enforcement, and advocates cited that protection when promoting ITIN uptake; reporting notes a 2025 agreement between DHS and Treasury that establishes some tax‑data sharing conditions with ICE, a development that advocacy organizations flag as increasing risk and chilling effects for applicants [7]. Sources differ in tone: advocates emphasize statutory privacy protections and the tax compliance benefits of ITINs, while watchdog reporting points to recent interagency agreements that may alter practical confidentiality expectations [7] [4].
7. Bottom line for undocumented immigrants seeking a number
If you are undocumented and ineligible for an SSN, the established route to legally file taxes is to apply for an ITIN by submitting Form W‑7, a federal tax return (unless you qualify for an exception), and original or certified identity/foreign‑status documents such as a passport or birth certificate — and to expect limitations to what an ITIN can be used for beyond taxes [3] [1] [4]. For applications and help with documentation, nonprofit tax assistance networks and IRS acceptance agents are the commonly recommended resources [5] [4].
Limitations and caveats: available sources do not list a comprehensive, itemized checklist of every acceptable document in every scenario; readers should consult the IRS Form W‑7 instructions or a trusted tax aide for the exact list applicable to their case [1] [3].