Designate representative to review remote employee’s I-9 documents | Vigilant

Vigilant Blog

News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp

May 11, 2015

Designate representative to review remote employee’s I-9 documents

Answer: Delegate the task.

Remember that employees must complete section 1 of the I-9 form by their first day of work, while employers must complete section 2 of the form and verify a new employee’s documents within three business days of starting employment. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states an employer’s responsibility when completing section 2 of the I-9 form is to “[p]hysically examine each document to determine if it reasonably appears to be genuine and to relate to your employee presenting it.” You may not accept a photocopy of any document presented. There’s no direct guidance on whether viewing documents via Skype or other video conferencing would meet the requirements, but the best practice is always to have someone physically review the documents in person.

One solution is to send an HR specialist or other employee to complete the Form I-9 face-to-face with your new hire, but that can be expensive and inefficient. A good alternative is to find a trusted local person who can do this work on your behalf. For example, you could hire an HR consultant in the area to do this for you. In any event, when you delegate this task to someone else, your organization will be on the hook if it is done improperly, so be picky in choosing who will do this for you. Finally, if your regular practice is to retain copies of the supporting documentation, then make sure your designee does this and sends those to you.

Also, make sure you are asking for the proper documentation to complete the I-9 for both US Citizens and non-citizens alike. For more questions and answers about the I-9 verification process, check out the USCIS “Handbook for Employers” and the agency’s Q&A webpage, our additional hiring blogs, or contact your Vigilant employment attorney.

Question: We hired a remote worker and don’t have someone to review I-9 documents or complete the form in person; what should we do?

This website presents general information in nontechnical language. This information is not legal advice. Before applying this information to a specific management decision, consult legal counsel.
divider--carrot
About The Author

Jon Benson

Employment & Labor Attorney Vigilant Law Group
  • University of Arizona, BA in Economics
  • Gonzaga University Law School, JD cum laude
  • Attorney licensed in Oregon with practical management and supervisory experience
  • Part-time puppy rustler & father of three

Don’t Navigate Employment Issues On Your Own

Learn how Vigilant membership can help with your complex employment situations.
Scroll to Top