Chapter 08 · Banking & cards
Certified Acceptance Agent: Authenticate W-7 from Canada
IRS-certified CAA authenticates your identity for Form W-7, no U.S. office, in-person or virtual.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
In 60 seconds
Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA): IRS-authorized professional who authenticates your identity and documents for Form W-7 without leaving Canada. In-person or virtual certification, cost $100–$300 CAD, signature same day.
Acronyms used in this guide
- CAA — Certified Acceptance Agent
- W-7 — Form W-7 Application for ITIN
- ITIN — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- IRS — Internal Revenue Service (U.S.)
CAA's Role in Form W-7
An IRS-certified Acceptance Agent can sign your Form W-7 and authenticate your identity documents, allowing fast ITIN application from Canada without traveling to the U.S.
- Document authentication — Canadian passport, work permit, official documents.
- Accepted certifications — CAA signature on Form W-7-COA replaces local U.S. IRS office request.
- Typical cost — $100–$300 CAD for full service (in-person or virtual).
- Timeline — Signature typically same day.
Accepted Identity Documents (Canada)
- Canadian passport — Primary document accepted by CAA, proof of citizenship.
- Provincial driver's license — Valid secondary document for address verification.
- Official birth certificate — Optional support (dependents).
- Not accepted — Canadian notary or lawyer cannot certify for CAA. Only an IRS-certified CAA can sign W-7-COA.
In-Person and Virtual Certifications
Modern CAAs accept in-person appointments or secure video calls. Original documents required so CAA can see security features (holograms, watermarks, signatures).
- In-person — CAA examines documents in hand, signs W-7-COA immediately.
- Virtual (HD video) — Secure Zoom/Teams appointment, live identity verification, document scan sent after. CAA signs and emails COA.
- Typical timeline — Signature same day, IRS submission 24–48 hours.
Documents for Dependents
If you claim a child or spouse:
- CAA can certify — Dependent's passport, official civil birth certificate.
- Mail directly to IRS — Certified copies of all other documents (work permit, address proofs) mailed directly to IRS, not through CAA.
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public verified sources as of last revision date (IRS, FinCEN, Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, RBC/BMO/TD official, CFPB, CRA).
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only. Figures, rates, thresholds, deadlines, and rules cited come from public sources as of the date indicated and may change.
For any concrete decision, consult a cross-border tax lawyer, a cross-border accountant, or an accredited credit counselor.