Leave your notary seal in the bag.

Form I-9 is not a notarial act. You are a trusted adult designated by the employer to review documents and complete Section 2 on their behalf. Do not use your notary seal or stamp anywhere on Form I-9 unless a separate document actually requires notarization.

Verify Section 1 Is Complete

Before reviewing any identification documents, make sure the employee has:

Completed Section 1 of Form I-9
Signed and dated Section 1
Completed it no later than their first day of employment

Hold on

Do not complete Section 1 for the employee unless the employer has specifically instructed you to assist them according to USCIS guidelines.

Examine the Employee's Original Documents

The employee must present original, unexpired documents. They may provide either one document from List A, or one document from List B and one from List C.

List A

Identity + work authorization

U.S. Passport or Passport Card
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

List B

Identity only

Driver's License
State-issued ID Card

List C

Work authorization only

Social Security Card (if unrestricted)
Certified Birth Certificate

One List A document — OR — one List B plus one List C

Do not accept

Photocopies
Faxed copies
Expired documents

Your responsibility is to determine whether the documents reasonably appear to be genuine and relate to the employee presenting them. You are not expected to be a document expert.

Complete Section 2

Enter the information exactly as it appears on the document(s):

Document Title
Issuing Authority
Document Number
Expiration Date (if applicable)

Enter the employee's first day of employment exactly as provided by the employer.

Then complete the certification

Sign your name
Date the form
Print your name
Enter your title — for example, Authorized Representative
Enter the employer's business name
Enter the employer's physical business address (not a P.O. Box)

Return the Completed Form

Follow the employer's instructions. Typically, you will:

Return the completed Form I-9 to the employee or directly to the employer
Include copies of the identification documents only if the employer instructs you to do so — some employers retain copies; others do not

Important Things to Remember

You are acting as the employer's authorized representative, not as a notary public.
No seal, no stamp anywhere on Form I-9 unless a separate document requires notarization.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not require a formal agreement with the employer. An authorized representative can be almost any trusted adult the employer designates.
Review the documents in the employee's physical presence unless the employer has instructed you under a lawful alternative procedure they are authorized to use.
If the documents do not reasonably appear genuine or do not appear to belong to the employee, do not complete Section 2. Contact the employer for further instructions.

Your role is simply to verify identity and work authorization documents on behalf of the employer — not to determine employment eligibility or provide legal advice.

Official source: USCIS I-9 Central — Completing Section 2: Employer Review and Attestation

This guide is for notary education purposes only and is not legal advice. Always follow current USCIS instructions and the employer's directions.