Passport Lost by IRS
#1
Passport Lost by IRS
We sent my son's passport off a couple of months ago to apply for an ITIN. We've had the number through and with no sign of the passport, rang them and, surprise surprise, they can't seem to find it!!
They have said to give it a few more days to see if it turns up, but if it doesn't, what do we do?? It has his visa in so at the moment we have no proof of his status, and our greencard process is held up as the lawyers want a copy of it. If we need to apply for a new passport is there any chance of getting the IRS to pay for it? And how do we go about getting a replacement visa?
Thanks for any info anyone can give.
They have said to give it a few more days to see if it turns up, but if it doesn't, what do we do?? It has his visa in so at the moment we have no proof of his status, and our greencard process is held up as the lawyers want a copy of it. If we need to apply for a new passport is there any chance of getting the IRS to pay for it? And how do we go about getting a replacement visa?
Thanks for any info anyone can give.
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 52
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
I doubt if they *need* you to send the original passport.
Usually, notarized copies work, no?
Hope they find it though! Good luck!
Usually, notarized copies work, no?
Hope they find it though! Good luck!
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 52
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
I have applied for ITIN/SSN on multiple occasions (for different ppl in the house off course) and have never had to send the original passport anywhere.
As a side note, I have always applied for ITINs with my tax return. e.g. you claim a dependent on you tax return. if the dependent doesn't have ITIN/SSN, you apply for one at the same time.
#6
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
same here - notorised copy of my passport (done for free at my bank) was fine
#7
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
Chances of getting the IRS to pay for a replacement would be about nil...no idea about the visa, ask the lawyers as I'm presuming this is a work based visa?
#8
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
true- i was thinking more preventative for other folks searching/reading about ITINS in the future.
#9
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
Thanks for the replies. When OH rang up IRS they insisted they needed the original passport, a copy wouldn't be accepted and, unfortunately, he sent it off without thinking to get it copied first so we're really stuck. All we have is the proof it was delivered and signed for at their office, and it was obviously used by them as we got the number through.
If the passport is not found, do we get a new one first then go through all the hassle of trying to get a replacement visa issued? We won't have to leave the US to get a new one inserted will we? (Mind you, a trip out of here sounds quite appealing right now).
Thanks again for the info, and yes - we are idiots!!!!
If the passport is not found, do we get a new one first then go through all the hassle of trying to get a replacement visa issued? We won't have to leave the US to get a new one inserted will we? (Mind you, a trip out of here sounds quite appealing right now).
Thanks again for the info, and yes - we are idiots!!!!
#10
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
Not possible to get a new visa inside the US. What happened to the I-94, is that also lost? Do your lawyers not have a copy of passport/visa etc?
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 52
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
Thanks for the replies. When OH rang up IRS they insisted they needed the original passport, a copy wouldn't be accepted and, unfortunately, he sent it off without thinking to get it copied first so we're really stuck. All we have is the proof it was delivered and signed for at their office, and it was obviously used by them as we got the number through.
If the passport is not found, do we get a new one first then go through all the hassle of trying to get a replacement visa issued? We won't have to leave the US to get a new one inserted will we? (Mind you, a trip out of here sounds quite appealing right now).
Thanks again for the info, and yes - we are idiots!!!!
If the passport is not found, do we get a new one first then go through all the hassle of trying to get a replacement visa issued? We won't have to leave the US to get a new one inserted will we? (Mind you, a trip out of here sounds quite appealing right now).
Thanks again for the info, and yes - we are idiots!!!!
-First, go get a passport from your local embassy. Depending on your passport issuing country, you should get this the same day or max few days. (usually there is a specific service/SLA for lost/stolen passports)
-Then, get a duplicate I-94
-At this stage, you should sleep peacefully. You (or your son) are good to stay in the country till your I-94 expires. Note that you DON'T NEED A VISA TO STAY in the country. You only need it to enter. How long you can stay is determined by the date on I-94
-Next time when you go out of country, don't forget to schedule a trip to the US consulate to get the VISA stamped back on the new passport so that you can enter US again.
I hope this helps.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 52
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
If I were you I would try this route -
-First, go get a passport from your local embassy. Depending on your passport issuing country, you should get this the same day or max few days. (usually there is a specific service/SLA for lost/stolen passports)
-Then, get a duplicate I-94
-At this stage, you should sleep peacefully. You (or your son) are good to stay in the country till your I-94 expires. Note that you DON'T NEED A VISA TO STAY in the country. You only need it to enter. How long you can stay is determined by the date on I-94
-Next time when you go out of country, don't forget to schedule a trip to the US consulate to get the VISA stamped back on the new passport so that you can enter US again.
I hope this helps.
-First, go get a passport from your local embassy. Depending on your passport issuing country, you should get this the same day or max few days. (usually there is a specific service/SLA for lost/stolen passports)
-Then, get a duplicate I-94
-At this stage, you should sleep peacefully. You (or your son) are good to stay in the country till your I-94 expires. Note that you DON'T NEED A VISA TO STAY in the country. You only need it to enter. How long you can stay is determined by the date on I-94
-Next time when you go out of country, don't forget to schedule a trip to the US consulate to get the VISA stamped back on the new passport so that you can enter US again.
I hope this helps.
#13
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
Thanks again for all the replies but it appears that the IRS doesn't even know what it's doing these days (pretty similar to back home really) as the passport came in the post today. (I'm a bit stumped as to why their records hadn't been updated with this info when we called to ask where it was tho!!).
Anyway, this has taught us a valuable lesson in making sure we take copies of everything before it's sent off and I hope that no-one is as silly as we were and makes the same mistake.
Cheers again guys.
Anyway, this has taught us a valuable lesson in making sure we take copies of everything before it's sent off and I hope that no-one is as silly as we were and makes the same mistake.
Cheers again guys.
#14
Re: Passport Lost by IRS
Thanks again for all the replies but it appears that the IRS doesn't even know what it's doing these days (pretty similar to back home really) as the passport came in the post today. (I'm a bit stumped as to why their records hadn't been updated with this info when we called to ask where it was tho!!).
Anyway, this has taught us a valuable lesson in making sure we take copies of everything before it's sent off and I hope that no-one is as silly as we were and makes the same mistake.
Cheers again guys.
Anyway, this has taught us a valuable lesson in making sure we take copies of everything before it's sent off and I hope that no-one is as silly as we were and makes the same mistake.
Cheers again guys.