Did You Know?

All U.S. Employers must complete and retain an I-9 Form to document the identity of all new employees in the United States, including citizens and non-citizens.  Thus, you must present to your Employer your documentation that establishes your identity.  Because you and your Employer are not always able to meet in-person in this age of telecommuting for the execution of the I-9 Form, an Employer may authorize a third party to act as its Authorized Representative.

I-9 Form Does NOT require Notarization

Many Employers ask Notaries serving as their Authorized Representative to affix their notarial seal to the certification section of the I-9 Form even though the I-9 Form does not require a notarial act of any kind.

Sorry… Notaries Aren’t Qualified to Help!

Notaries are often called upon to verify the identification information of the new Employee because we have much experience in satisfactorily identifying people, and we are seen as a logical choice to serve in this capacity. Unfortunately, the California Secretary of State’s Notary Public Section considers the Form I-9 to be an immigration form, and the Secretary of State clarified that California Notaries who are not qualified and bonded as immigration consultants under the Business and Professions Code Sections may not complete the Form I-9 even in a non-notarial capacity. Any California Notary who is not an immigration consultant violates Government Code Section 8223(c).