Quick truth, CP562A means the IRS needs more from your W‑7A ATIN file, and once your child has an SSN, Form 15118 is the official response to update their ID in IRS records.
Key Takeaways
- Form 15118 is the IRS’s official “Response to Notice CP562A,” used to replace a child’s ATIN with their SSN after it is issued.
- CP562A generally asks you to submit missing W‑7A documents within about 60 days, and when the SSN arrives you should complete and send Form 15118 by mail or fax using the contact details in your notice. The IRS highlights its Document Upload Tool for missing W‑7A items, but Form 15118 is mailed or faxed per the notice.
- Fill in parent contact info, the child’s full legal identity, placement agency details, and sign in ink. If two people are adopting, both must sign.
- If the last name or SSN for a parent changed compared with the original W‑7A, include the updated SSN and name along with proof of the change, such as a court order or marriage document.
- Keep copies of everything and hold your proof of mailing or fax transmission. If anything is unclear, call the number on your CP562A.
Table of Contents
- What Form 15118 Does and When to Use It
- How to Complete Form 15118, Section by Section
- Provide Your Contact Information
- Provide Adoptive Child’s Information
- Provide Placement Agency’s Information
- Signature Requirements
- Parent SSNs and Name Changes
- Change in Contact Information
- How to Send It, Mail vs Fax, and the IRS Upload Tool
- Checklist, Common Mistakes, and Processing Tips
- FAQs
- For Tax Pros and Firms
- Conclusion and Next Steps
What Form 15118 Does and When to Use It
Think of Form 15118 as the bridge from your child’s temporary ATIN to their permanent SSN. You use it after you receive Notice CP562A, which tells you the original ATIN application on Form W‑7A was incomplete or that the IRS needs additional information. Once you have the child’s SSN, you fill out and return Form 15118 so the IRS can replace the ATIN, align all records, and keep your tax return and credits on track.
Timing matters. CP562A typically gives you 60 days to provide missing W‑7A documents. When the SSN arrives, the IRS says to complete Form 15118 and send it by the method listed in your notice, usually mail or fax. The IRS also points families to its Document Upload Tool for the missing W‑7A items, which speeds that part up.
A quick reminder about the ATIN itself. An ATIN is a temporary number issued while adoption is pending and you cannot get an SSN in time to file. When the SSN is issued, the IRS deactivates the ATIN, so it is important to notify the IRS promptly to avoid mismatches and delays.
Who this guide is for
- Adoptive parents who just received CP562A and want a clear, step‑by‑step path to finish the process
- Tax pros who assist clients with ATIN to SSN transitions and need a tight checklist
If you are a tax professional inside a CPA or EA firm, you can adapt the checklists below to your workflow. At Accountably, our teams often prepare a “Form 15118 packet” for families so signatures and proofs are not missed, which cuts back‑and‑forth and protects filing timelines. Use what fits your process.
How to Complete Form 15118, Section by Section
The official PDF lays out each block in plain order. Here is how I coach parents to fill it out cleanly the first time.
Provide Your Contact Information
Add your full legal name, complete street address, city, state, and ZIP, plus a direct daytime phone. The form also asks for the best time to call, which helps the IRS reach you without phone tag. If two parents are adopting, both can list direct numbers. Keep this consistent with your notice.
- Full legal name, not a nickname
- Standardized address, no missing apartment or unit
- Daytime phone, plus a secondary number if you have one
- Preferred call time, morning or afternoon
Provide Adoptive Child’s Information
Enter the child’s full legal name exactly as it will appear on your tax return, the date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY, the place of birth by city and state, and select the gender option shown on the form. Match SSA records to prevent mismatches and holds.
- Exact name order, first, middle, last
- Date format MM/DD/YYYY
- City and state of birth as on official records
- Gender selection exactly as the form presents it
Provide Placement Agency’s Information
List the placement agency or agent name exactly as it appears on records, the full address, and the placement date the child was placed in your home for purposes of adoption, again in MM/DD/YYYY. Accuracy here supports lawful placement verification.
- Agency or agent legal name
- Street, city, state, ZIP
- Placement date in MM/DD/YYYY, verified against your file
Signature Requirements
Sign in ink, and date the form in MM/DD/YYYY. If two people are adopting, both must sign. Signatures should match the printed names, and they should align with the SSNs you include later in the form. Handwritten signatures are required, not typed or stamped.
- Sign inside the signature boxes only
- Date each signature clearly
- If both are adopting, both sign
Parent SSNs and Name Changes
On page two, the IRS addresses name or SSN mismatches for adoptive parents. If the last name or SSN used on the original W‑7A does not match Social Security Administration records, list each parent’s SSN and full legal name, then explain any name change and attach proof, for example a marriage certificate or court order. The IRS explicitly asks you to correct your SSA record if needed, since that prevents further delay.
- Parent 1 SSN + full legal name
- Parent 2 SSN + full legal name
- Short explanation of the name change
- Attach proof of name change if applicable
Change in Contact Information
If your address changed since the ATIN application, the form gives you a specific box to provide your new address and best phone number. Use it, and keep copies for your file. This helps the IRS reach you and match the CP562A case quickly.
Keep contact information current so the IRS can close the ATIN case and update the SSN without extra letters.
How to Send It, Mail vs Fax, and the IRS Upload Tool
Your CP562A tells you how to respond. For the missing W‑7A items, the IRS highlights its Document Upload Tool as the fastest way to send those documents within about 60 days of the notice date. When your child has an SSN, complete Form 15118 and send it by mail or fax using the address or fax number on your CP562A package.
- Use one method for a given response to avoid duplicate processing
- If you mail, consider certified mail or a trackable courier
- If you fax, print and keep the transmission confirmation
- Store legible copies of everything you send
Practical note many families ask about, can Form 15118 be uploaded through the IRS tool too. The CP562A page specifically points to upload for the missing W‑7A items. For the 15118 response, the IRS directs you to mail or fax using the notice details. Follow the instructions on your exact notice.
Checklist, Common Mistakes, and Processing Tips
Here is the quick checklist I give parents and tax teams. It keeps the reply tight, verifiable, and easier to review.
- Parent contact block is complete and consistent with the notice
- Child’s full legal name, DOB in MM/DD/YYYY, city and state of birth, and gender match SSA and placement documents
- Placement agency or agent name and address match records, placement date confirmed
- Both adoptive parents sign and date if adopting jointly, in ink
- Parent SSNs and names are listed if the IRS flagged a mismatch, with a short explanation and proof for any name change
- Copies of all items are kept for your records, plus proof of mailing or fax
Avoid these common errors we see:
- Nicknames or shortened names on the child or parent lines
- Transposed digits in the date of birth or SSN
- Missing placement date or incomplete agency address
- Only one signature when two parents are adopting
- Sending the wrong documents through the wrong channel
What an ATIN Is, and Why the SSN Update Matters
An ATIN is temporary and exists to let you claim the child when an SSN cannot be obtained in time. Once the adoption moves forward and SSA issues an SSN, you should inform the IRS so the ATIN can be deactivated and your tax account can reflect the child’s SSN going forward. That is the entire purpose of combining CP562A with Form 15118.
If you are wondering about credits, the IRS states you need an SSN, not an ATIN, to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. This often surprises families, so confirm your filing plan with your preparer once the child’s SSN arrives.
Required Information at a Glance
| Requirement | Why it matters |
| Parent contact details | Ensures the IRS can reach the right person quickly |
| Child identifiers | Precise matching prevents processing holds |
| Placement agency data | Verifies lawful placement and date |
| Signatures in ink | Confirms authority and closes review loops |
| Parent SSN and name updates | Resolves W‑7A vs SSA mismatches |
Tip for tax pros, capture a single PDF packet, Form 15118, supporting docs, and a one‑page cover note summarizing the changes. This makes your records audit‑ready and reduces second requests.
FAQs
What is CP562A telling me?
CP562A means the IRS needs items to finish your child’s ATIN case from Form W‑7A. The notice explains what is missing and gives about 60 days to reply. Later, when your child has an SSN, you use Form 15118 to report it to the IRS. The CP562A page also highlights the Document Upload Tool for missing W‑7A items.
Where do I get the latest Form 15118?
Download the current PDF of Form 15118 from IRS.gov. The edition currently shows “Form 15118 (12‑2024)” and is listed in the Forms directory with a posted date of January 17, 2025. Always confirm you are using the latest PDF on IRS.gov.
Do both adoptive parents need to sign?
Yes, if two people are adopting the child, both must sign. The signature section says this clearly. Use ink and date each signature.
Can I upload Form 15118 instead of mailing or faxing it?
The CP562A page directs families to upload missing W‑7A documents through the IRS Document Upload Tool, but for Form 15118 itself the instructions are to mail it or fax it to the number shown on your notice. Follow your exact notice.
How long is an ATIN valid?
An ATIN is temporary. When the SSN is issued, notify the IRS so the ATIN can be deactivated. If you do not notify the IRS within roughly two years, the ATIN will be automatically deactivated.
What if the parent’s last name changed since the W‑7A?
List the SSN and full legal name for each parent and include a short explanation of the change, plus a copy of the legal document that supports the new name. The IRS specifically calls this out on page two of Form 15118.
What if I still need an ATIN extension?
That is a different form. The IRS uses Form 15100 in certain ATIN notices to request an extension or to inform the IRS of an SSN or address change. Do not confuse it with Form 15118, which is specifically the response to CP562A.
For Tax Pros and Firms
If you support adoptive families, this is the operational flow our team finds most reliable.
- As soon as CP562A arrives, review what is missing from the W‑7A and upload those items using the IRS tool where allowed. Note the 60‑day window.
- The moment the child’s SSN is issued, prepare Form 15118, add any name‑change proof for parents, and route for ink signatures from both adopters.
- Send the signed Form 15118 by the method on the notice, mail or fax, and store the transmission or mailing proof.
For firms that run busy seasonal calendars, a simple SOP prevents bottlenecks, intake form to capture child name as it will appear on the return, standardized naming for proofs, and a checklist for signatures. Accountably works with CPA and EA firms on delivery systems like this, so teams can keep reviews quick and consistent without risking deadlines. Mention this only if helpful to your readers.
Examples, What a Clean Form 15118 Packet Looks Like
- Cover page that states, “Form 15118 response to CP562A for [Child Name], SSN provided, parent name change explained and documented.”
- Form 15118 completed, signed in ink by both parents if adopting jointly.
- Copies of placement records that support the agency details and placement date.
- Any name‑change proof for parents, plus a short explanation.
- Proof of mailing or a fax confirmation once submitted.
Extra Context You May Find Helpful
If you are early in the adoption, remember the W‑7A is the application for an ATIN when you cannot get an SSN in time. The IRS page “About Form W‑7A” and its instructions explain eligibility, timing, and what to attach. If you already have the SSN, you do not need an ATIN at all.
Also, some credits require an SSN, not an ATIN, for example the Earned Income Tax Credit. If that applies to you, coordinate your timing once the SSN is issued.
Compliance, Security, and Practical Safeguards
- Use the mailing address or fax number printed on your CP562A. The IRS frequently updates process details, so the information on your specific notice is the one that controls.
- Send your response by only one method for the same issue to avoid delays. This is a common instruction across IRS notice help pages.
- When you use an online fax service, review its privacy and security policy. The IRS calls this out on multiple notice pages.
Conclusion and Next Steps
You now have a complete, plain‑English plan to close the loop on CP562A. Fill out Form 15118, sign in ink, include any name‑change proof for parents, and send it by mail or fax using the details in your notice. Keep copies and your delivery proof. If the IRS asked for missing W‑7A items, use the Document Upload Tool for that part to avoid timing issues.
If your situation has unique twists, for example multi‑state filings or complex timing around credits, talk with a qualified tax professional who works with adoption files regularly. For firms that manage this at scale, a short SOP and a standard packet can save an entire review cycle.
Educational note, this guide is for information only as of November 5, 2025. Always follow the instructions on your specific IRS notice and confirm the latest PDFs on IRS.gov.
Quick Reference Links on IRS.gov
- CP562A overview, required actions, and submission methods.
- Form 15118 PDF, Response to Notice CP562A, current edition.
- About Form W‑7A and ATIN basics, plus instructions.
- ATIN Q&A, validity and EITC SSN requirement.
Final Checklist Before You Send
- Child’s SSN included where requested on your notice, if the IRS asked for it
- Parent names and SSNs listed if there was a mismatch, with proof of any name change
- Signatures in ink for both adopters if joint adoption, with clear dates
- Placement agency name, full address, and placement date match your documents
- Proof of mailing or fax confirmation filed with your packet, and copies kept for your records