How to Verify an ITIN Service Is a Legitimate IRS Certified Acceptance Agent
Not finding an ITIN service on the IRS Acceptance Agent search? Here's why that happens, what the search actually shows, and the right way to verify a CAA's credentials before paying.
A reasonable concern before paying for an ITIN service: is this company actually an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent, or are they just claiming to be?
The IRS does publish a list of acceptance agents on its website. But the list has limitations that confuse applicants — including the fact that many legitimate CAAs don't appear by the name you'd expect.
Here's how to verify, what the IRS list actually shows, and the red flags that indicate a fraudulent service.
The IRS Acceptance Agent Search Tool
The IRS publishes a searchable list of Acceptance Agents at irs.gov. The list allows you to search by:
- State (U.S.) or country (international)
- Name
Why a legitimate CAA might not appear in the search:
- Business name vs. individual CAA name: The IRS Acceptance Agent program certifies individuals, not companies. The name on the IRS list is the personal name of the authorized agent — not the business name. If a service operates under a company name, searching for that company name returns no results.
- Regular AA vs. CAA: The IRS list includes both regular Acceptance Agents (AA) and Certified Acceptance Agents (CAA). Only CAAs can issue Certificates of Accuracy. If you're looking specifically for a CAA, the list is not clearly labeled to distinguish them.
- List updates lag reality: The IRS updates the published list periodically, not in real time. Agents who recently renewed or newly enrolled may not yet appear. Agents who closed their practice may still appear briefly.
- International agents: The international list is less comprehensive than the domestic one. Many legitimate CAAs serving non-U.S. applicants operate primarily online and may list a U.S. address for official purposes.
The bottom line: the absence of a business name from the IRS list does not mean the service is fraudulent. It usually means the search is looking for the wrong name.
The Right Way to Verify a CAA
Step 1: Ask for the Agent's Full Name and Acceptance Agent Number (AAN)
Every IRS Acceptance Agent — whether AA or CAA — has an Acceptance Agent Number (AAN), a unique identifier assigned by the IRS when they were certified.
Ask the service: "Can you provide the name of your certified acceptance agent and your Acceptance Agent Number?"
A legitimate CAA will provide this without hesitation. They may redact it on their public website for privacy reasons, but they will provide it when asked directly.
Step 2: Verify Against the IRS List Using the Individual's Name
Take the name the service provides and search the IRS Acceptance Agent directory using that personal name. If the agent is listed, they're confirmed.
If they're not listed (which, as noted, can happen for legitimate timing reasons), proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Call the IRS ITIN Unit
The IRS ITIN unit can verify whether a specific AAN is valid. Call the IRS international number at 1-267-941-1000 or the general ITIN line at 1-800-829-1040. Ask them to confirm whether [Name] with AAN [number] is an active IRS Acceptance Agent.
Difference Between Acceptance Agent (AA) and Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)
| Acceptance Agent (AA) | Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Can submit ITIN applications | Yes | Yes |
| Can issue Certificate of Accuracy (COA) | **No** | Yes |
| Passport mailing required? | Yes (original docs must be sent) | No (COA substitutes) |
| Remote (video) verification | No | Yes |
If you're applying from outside the U.S. and want to avoid mailing your passport, you specifically need a CAA — not just an AA.
Red Flags of Fraudulent ITIN Services
Fraudulent ITIN services do exist. Watch for:
Guarantees of rapid ITIN issuance: No one can guarantee an ITIN in less than 7–11 weeks (except for the FIRPTA exception which has its own specific pathway). Anyone claiming they can get your ITIN in "3–5 days" through the standard mail process is either misleading you or about to commit fraud.
Asking you to mail your original passport to an unknown address: Legitimate CAA services don't ask for your original passport. If a service asks you to mail your passport to a non-IRS address, stop.
Upfront payment with no traceable business presence: Legitimate ITIN services have a website, contact information, and a verifiable business presence. An operation that only exists on social media with no traceable physical presence is a risk.
Offering to "obtain" an ITIN without any documentation: An ITIN requires identity verification. There is no legitimate way to get an ITIN without a passport or equivalent documentation. Any service claiming otherwise is committing or facilitating fraud.
ITINs created without application: The IRS doesn't assign ITINs without a complete W-7 submission. A service that "provides" an ITIN number without an application process has fabricated it. Using a fabricated ITIN is a federal crime.
What a Legitimate CAA Interaction Looks Like
A legitimate ITIN service via a CAA:
- Collects your application information (name, date of birth, address, reason for ITIN) to prepare Form W-7
- Schedules a video call for passport verification — you present your original passport on camera
- Issues a Certificate of Accuracy (COA) certifying they verified your passport
- Submits your W-7 package to the IRS (or provides it to you to submit with your tax return)
- Provides a tracking reference or submission confirmation
You should receive confirmation that the application was submitted, and the IRS will send CP565 (the ITIN assignment letter) to the address on your W-7 in 7–11 weeks.
Why Some CAAs Aren't on the IRS Public List
To illustrate why the IRS list gap is usually legitimate: the IRS Acceptance Agent certification is held by an individual who may work for or own a company. The IRS lists the individual agent by their personal name. The company's trade name appears nowhere in the IRS database.
For example: a CAA might operate as "Global ITIN Solutions LLC" but be listed in the IRS system under the individual agent's personal name, "Jane Smith." Searching for "Global ITIN Solutions" returns nothing. Searching for "Jane Smith" (or asking Jane to confirm her AAN and searching that) confirms the certification.
This is why asking for the agent's name and AAN — rather than the business name — is the reliable verification method.
You can ask us for our individual CAA's name and Acceptance Agent Number at any time. We're happy to provide it for verification. [Contact us](/apply).
