What an ITIN is, and what it is not
An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues so a person can meet their federal tax obligations when they cannot get a Social Security number. You apply for it with Form W-7.
According to the IRS itself, an ITIN is for tax purposes: it does not give Social Security benefits, does not change any status and does not authorize work. But for many insurance companies, it is enough as an ID number to apply for life insurance.
Keep your ITIN active. The IRS cancels it if you don’t use it on a federal tax return for 3 years in a row, and insurance companies usually ask for an active one.
Can I really get life insurance with an ITIN?
Yes. Not every insurance company accepts it, but several do, and some say so publicly on their websites: they accept applicants with a Social Security number or an ITIN, with a valid ID and proof that they live in the United States.
That is why working with an independent agency makes a difference: you don’t depend on just one company. A benefits consultant knows which ones accept an ITIN, what they ask for and which one fits your case.
What documents they usually ask for
Each insurance company has its own rules, but these are the most common requirements:
- An active ITIN.
- A valid photo ID (for example, a passport or a state ID). Some accept the matrícula consular along with other documents.
- A physical address in the United States.
- A U.S. bank account, where the premiums are paid from.
- Proof of how long you have lived here (some ask for 1 to 5 years, depending on the company and the case).
- Proof of income or work in the U.S., like your tax returns.
- Depending on the amount and your age, a medical exam done in the United States.
Never send your ITIN or your documents through social media or text messages. They are only provided in the formal application, with your consultant.
What type of insurance you can get
Insurance companies that accept an ITIN usually offer term life (protection for a set number of years) and permanent life, like whole life or universal life. The maximum amounts and the products available change depending on the company, your age, your health and your income.
What matters is that the protection makes sense for your family: how much they would need if you were gone, and for how many years.
Can my beneficiary live in my home country?
In many cases, yes: the beneficiary does not always have to live in the United States. But each insurance company has its own way of paying. Some, for example, only send the money to an account at a U.S. bank.
That is why it is best to decide this from the start: who gets the money, where they live and how they will collect it.
Does my family pay taxes on the life insurance money?
Generally, no. According to the IRS, the money a beneficiary receives because of the insured person’s death is usually not counted as income and does not have to be reported. What is taxable is any interest that money may earn afterward.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get life insurance if I don’t have a Social Security number?+
Yes. Several insurance companies accept an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. Approval depends on each company’s review.
What is an ITIN and how do I get one?+
It is a 9-digit tax ID number the IRS issues to people who cannot get a Social Security number. You apply with Form W-7, by mail, at an IRS office or with a Certifying Acceptance Agent.
How long do I need to have lived in the United States?+
It depends on the insurance company. Some ask for one year and others for several years living here. A benefits consultant can tell you which one fits your case.
Is the matrícula consular accepted as ID?+
Some insurance companies accept it, usually along with other documents, like a bank statement or a utility bill in your name.
Can the beneficiary live outside the United States?+
In many cases, yes, but each insurance company decides how it pays. Some only deposit into an account at a U.S. bank.
Does my family have to pay taxes on the life insurance?+
Generally, no. The IRS says the death benefit is usually not included as income. Any interest it earns does have to be reported.
Sources
- IRS · Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- IRS · How to apply for an ITIN (Form W-7)
- IRS · ITIN expiration
- IRS · Is life insurance money taxable?
- Nationwide · Life insurance for foreign nationals (public example of an insurer that accepts an ITIN)
Facts verified on October 25, 2026. Rules change: if you read this later, confirm with a benefits consultant.
Educational content; not legal, tax or immigration advice. All coverage is subject to each insurance company’s application, underwriting and approval; products, requirements and amounts vary by company and by state. Latin Prime Financial Group is an independent insurance agency.