Posted by mskip/AL on 1/28/13 2:11pm
Msg #452715

I9 Signings

I got a call this afternoon from a company in California asking if I was familiar with notarizing I9's. Have anyone notarized I9 docs recently.

Reply by Buddy Young on 1/28/13 2:19pm
Msg #452718

Marian is an expert on this subject and there has been lots of discussion on this in the past. Use the orange search button and read.

Reply by Keys_Notary on 1/28/13 2:21pm
Msg #452722

I9's are not notarized. Here's link for the I9 form: http://www.cac.mil/docs/i-9.pdf

Reply by ToniK on 1/28/13 2:20pm
Msg #452720

there is no notarizations required on that form. You are expected to be a representative of the company that hired you and you are attesting to have examined the required documents presented for employment eligibility ie birth certificate, ssn, naturalization etc etc.

Reply by Audrey Skipper on 1/28/13 2:38pm
Msg #452725

Thanks, to all of you. Your info was very helpful.

Reply by CJ on 1/28/13 4:00pm
Msg #452755

Hi,

I used to be nervous about handling these. I didn't like that I was a "representative" for the company. I called a signing service that I trust and asked their person who answers questions. She said that she is a notary AND an HR person, so she was very familiar with these forms. She said that these are just to verify ID, and since the company does not have a rep in that area, they are hiring me, as a rep for the company, to look at their ID. There is nothing to notarize on the exact I9 form, but sometimes they throw in a second paper that needs to be notarized, like maybe the candidate swears that everything they put on the form is true. I can't remember exactly what. Anyway, I am not worried about it any more and I do it whenever it comes up. Other people on the forum feel funny about it.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/28/13 4:07pm
Msg #452758

There's actually no reason to feel nervous about acting as a representative for these companies who hire you to do this, because the law says that THEY are responsible for it.

I would post the link, but my website is down at the moment. But taht doesn't matter, it's listed in the USCIS Employer handbook, which tells employers everything they need to know about the I9.

Here are some excerpts:

"38. Q. As an employer, do I have to fill out all the Forms I-9 myself?

A. No. You may designate someone to fill out Forms I-9 for you, such as a personnel officer, foreman, agent, or anyone else acting on your behalf, such as a notary public. Please note that if someone else fills out Form I-9 on your behalf, he or she must carry out full Form I-9 responsibilities. However, you are still liable for any violations in connection with the form or the verification process.

For example, it is not acceptable for a notary public to view employment authorization and identity documents, but leave Section 2 for you to complete. The person who views an employee’s employment authorization documents should also complete and sign Section 2 on your behalf."


What they leave out is that notarization is not actually needed on the form, nor can a Notary actually notarize their own signature on part 2. That's where it gets tricky and people get confused.

When you do an I9, you're acting as a regular person, not a notary. You just happen to be a trusted person because you're a notary.

Reply by mskip/AL on 1/28/13 8:41pm
Msg #452814

Thanks to everyone for your comments,it has really put my mind at ease and helped me to know what to expect, if I get a call for a I9 signing.