I-9 Form and Employment Authorization in Pennsylvania

How to fill out the I-9 form for employment in Pennsylvania?

A Pennsylvania employer must use the I-9 Form to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals hired for employment in the United States. This form must be completed within three (3) days of the new hire’s start date.

1. Section 1: Employee Information and Attestation

The new hire must complete and sign Section 1 of Form I-9. The employee must provide information such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other identifying information. The employee must also attest to their own identity and eligibility for employment in the United States.

2. Section 2: Employer or Authorized Representative Review and Verification

The employer is responsible for reviewing documents provided by the employee to verify their identity and employment eligibility. The employer must review one document from List A (which shows both identity and employment eligibility) or one document from List B (which shows identity) and one document from List C (which shows employment eligibility). All documents should be examined in person by the employer or authorized representative. The employer must make a photocopy of the documents to retain with the I-9 form.

3. Section 3: Reverification and / or Update of Information

Section 3 is used by employers to reverify or update information when an employee’s work authorization documents expire or need to be updated. Generally, employers will not need to complete this section unless they are asked to do so by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official.

4. Section 4: Additional Employment Eligibility Verification

This section is typically used for employees hired after November 6, 1986 who are not eligible to complete Section 1 of Form I-9. This section is used as an additional verification method for employees who are hired after November 6, 1986 and are not eligible to complete Section 1 for any reason, such as a change in their name or their work eligibility status. An authorized representative may complete this section if they have been given written authorization by the employee.

Where can I get an I-9 form in Pennsylvania for employment purposes?

You can get an I-9 form from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. The form is available for free download here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. You can also pick up a paper copy of the form at your local USCIS office or at your employer’s office.

What documents are acceptable for I-9 verification in Pennsylvania?

Acceptable documents for I-9 verification in Pennsylvania include a US passport or passport card, Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551), an unexpired foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp, an Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766), and any of the following unexpired documents from the List of Acceptable Documents: state-issued driver’s license or state ID card, Social Security card, U.S. birth certificate, U.S. citizen ID card (Form I-197), and U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570). In certain circumstances, employers may also accept tribal identification cards or unexpired foreign driver’s licenses as proof of identity and employment authorization.

Is there a deadline for completing the I-9 form in Pennsylvania when starting a new job?

Yes, the I-9 form must be completed within 3 business days of the date of hire.

How often do I need to update the I-9 form for employment in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, employers must complete a new I-9 form for each employee within three business days of their start date. The form must be updated if the employee’s work authorization or documents change.

Are there local variations in I-9 document requirements in Pennsylvania?

Yes, there are some local variations in I-9 document requirements in Pennsylvania. For example, some employers may require additional documents, such as proof of residence or a Social Security card. Additionally, while employers in most states are required to use the I-9 form provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employers in Pennsylvania must use the version of the form provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

Can I complete the I-9 form online in Pennsylvania for remote work?

No. The I-9 form must be completed in person, meaning that the employee and the employer must be physically present together in order for the form to be properly completed. This includes employees who work remotely from Pennsylvania.

What is the penalty for not completing the I-9 form in Pennsylvania?

The penalty for not completing the I-9 form in Pennsylvania is up to $1750 per violation. Additionally, employers may face criminal penalties for various forms of discrimination and/or misclassification of employees.

Is E-Verify mandatory for employers in Pennsylvania during the I-9 process?

No, E-Verify is not mandatory for employers in Pennsylvania during the I-9 process. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security encourages employers to use E-Verify, but participation is not mandated by law.

How to correct errors on the I-9 form in Pennsylvania after submission?

The I-9 form cannot be corrected after submission. If there are any errors on the form, you must contact your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office or contact the employer who submitted the form. The employer will need to complete a new I-9 form with the corrected information.

Are there I-9 workshops or training programs available in Pennsylvania?

Yes, there are I-9 workshops and training programs available in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regional office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offers free I-9 workshops and trainings. The workshops provide employers with an overview of the I-9 process, and the trainings are designed to provide employers with an in-depth understanding of the I-9 process. Additionally, private companies also offer I-9 training and workshops throughout the state.

Can I use a foreign passport for I-9 verification in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can use a foreign passport for I-9 verification in Pennsylvania. However, you must also provide additional documentation that is acceptable for Form I-9 documents, such as a permanent resident card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card or another form of acceptable identification.

How does the I-9 process work for temporary employees in Pennsylvania?

The I-9 process for temporary employees in Pennsylvania is the same as it is for any other employee in the United States. All employers must complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each new employee to verify their eligibility to work in the United States. The form requires the employee to provide documentation to prove their identity and employment authorization. This could include a passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, or birth certificate, as well as a work visa or other immigration document. The employer must review the documentation and complete and sign the form within three days of the employee’s start date. They also must retain the form for three years or until one year after the employee’s employment ends, whichever is longer. Employers with 25 or more employees must also submit an E-Verify query for each new employee within three days of hire to confirm their work authorization status.

Is there a helpline for I-9-related questions in Pennsylvania?

Yes, there is a helpline for I-9-related questions in Pennsylvania. The helpline number is 1-800-932-9541.

What to do if my work authorization expires in Pennsylvania and affects the I-9 form?

If your work authorization expires in Pennsylvania, you must update your I-9 form to reflect the new expiration date. To do this, you must provide your employer with a new Form I-9 and a document that establishes your identity and employment authorization. This could include an unexpired passport or driver’s license, or a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Your employer should then fill out Section 3 of the I-9 form with the updated expiration date.

Are there I-9 compliance audits for businesses in Pennsylvania?

Yes, businesses in Pennsylvania are subject to I-9 compliance audits. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) routinely conducts worksite enforcement operations to ensure employers are compliant with the I-9 Form and other immigration laws. Employers who are found to be in violation of these laws may be subject to fines and/or criminal charges.

How does the I-9 process work for remote employees in Pennsylvania?

The I-9 process for remote employees in Pennsylvania is the same as it is for on-site employees. Upon hire, employers must provide new hires with a Form I-9 and supporting documentation to verify their identity and work authorization. The I-9 must be completed by the employee and employers must review documents, such as a passport or driver’s license, and submit the form to the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system if they choose to use it. Employers must keep I-9 forms on file for three years after hiring, or one year after termination, whichever is later.

Can I refuse to fill out the I-9 form in Pennsylvania for religious reasons?

No, you cannot refuse to fill out the I-9 form in Pennsylvania for religious reasons. All employers are required by law to complete the I-9 form for all employees in order to verify their identity and employment eligibility. Refusing to complete this form could lead to legal consequences.

What is the role of the HR department in the I-9 process in Pennsylvania?

The HR department in Pennsylvania is responsible for training managers and supervisors on the I-9 process and for ensuring that all of the necessary documentation is collected and filled out in a timely manner. The HR department is also responsible for ensuring that the I-9 form is completed correctly, that the employee’s identity and employment authorization are verified, and that paperwork is properly stored for future reference.

How does the I-9 process work for seasonal workers in Pennsylvania?

The I-9 process for seasonal workers in Pennsylvania is similar to the process for all other employers and employees. The first step is for the employer to provide the employee with a Form I-9, which is available online from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The employee must then complete the form, providing information about their identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

The employer must then review the information provided by the employee and verify it using one of three approved methods: List A documents, List B documents, or a combination of List A and List B documents. The employer must review original documents from the employee that provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. The employer must also make copies of the documents that are provided by the employee and store them with the Form I-9 for a period of three years after the employee’s last day of work.

After the employer has completed these steps, they should provide a receipt to the employee to confirm that their Form I-9 has been properly completed and stored. The employer should also keep track of any seasonal employees who do not have a valid Form I-9 on file for future hiring.