My Notary Shoppe

As a notary public, expanding your services can set you apart from the competition and increase your revenue. One service that many notaries may not be aware they can offer is I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. The I-9 form is a mandatory document used by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for work in the United States. By providing I-9 verification services, you can offer businesses and individuals a convenient solution to complete this important process.

What is the I-9 Form?

The I-9, or Employment Eligibility Verification Form, is required for every employee hired in the U.S. The form ensures that the individual is legally authorized to work. It must be completed by both the employer and the employee within the first three days of employment.

The form requires two main parts:

1. Employee Information and Attestation: The employee provides their personal information and attests to their citizenship or immigration status.
2. Employer Review and Verification: The employer examines the employee’s documents (such as a passport, green card, or driver’s license) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility.

How Notaries Can Help with I-9 Form Verification

The I-9 form does not require notarization, but in cases where employers operate remotely or are unable to complete the form in person, they may designate an “authorized representative” to complete Section 2 of the form. This is where notaries come in. Many employers seek out notaries to act as their authorized representatives to review and verify the employee’s documents.

As a notary, offering I-9 form verification can be an easy and valuable add-on to your business, especially in today’s growing remote work environment. You can help employers who need to verify the identity and employment eligibility of remote workers or workers in various locations.

Why Employers Prefer Using Notaries for I-9 Verifications

Many employers prefer to use notaries for I-9 verifications for several reasons:

• Trustworthy and Professional: As a certified and licensed professional, a notary brings credibility and professionalism to the verification process.
• Neutral Party: Notaries act as impartial third parties, ensuring the verification process is completed accurately and without bias.
• Convenient Mobile Service: Offering mobile notary services for I-9 verifications means you can go directly to the employee or employer’s location, adding an extra layer of convenience.

Steps to Provide I-9 Form Verification as a Notary

1. Understand the I-9 Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the I-9 form, particularly Section 2, which involves reviewing identification documents to confirm the employee’s eligibility.
2. Act as an Authorized Representative: When an employer designates you as their authorized representative, you do not sign the form as a notary, but simply as the employer’s representative. You are responsible for ensuring the documents provided are acceptable based on the guidelines listed on the I-9 form.
3. Review and Verify Documents: Carefully review the documents provided by the employee (e.g., passport, driver’s license, Social Security card). You must physically inspect the documents to ensure they appear genuine and relate to the employee presenting them.
4. Complete and Sign Section 2 of the I-9 Form: After verifying the documents, fill out Section 2 of the I-9 form, enter the appropriate document information, and sign as the authorized representative. You are attesting that the documents provided satisfy the legal requirements.

Benefits of Adding I-9 Verification to Your Notary Business

Offering I-9 verification services can be highly beneficial to your notary business for several reasons:

• Expanded Services: Adding I-9 verifications gives you an additional service to offer your clients, expanding your business portfolio.
• Increased Revenue: You can charge for each verification service, and if you offer mobile services, you can add travel fees for further locations.
• Recurring Business: Many companies hire new employees regularly, giving you the opportunity to form long-term relationships with local businesses for ongoing I-9 verifications.
• In-Demand Service: With the rise of remote work, more employers need help verifying employees’ documents across various locations, making this service highly sought after.

Marketing I-9 Verification as a Notary Service

To successfully market I-9 form verification services, consider the following strategies:

• Target Employers: Reach out to small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources for in-house verification or have remote workers. Let them know you can act as their authorized representative for I-9 verifications.
• Promote Mobile Services: If you offer mobile notary services, highlight this feature in your marketing, emphasizing the convenience of on-site I-9 verifications.
• Create Informational Content: Educate potential clients about I-9 requirements through blog posts, social media, or informative guides on your website. Many employers may not know they can designate a notary as their representative.
• Partner with Staffing Agencies: Staffing agencies often need I-9 verifications for temp workers. Building relationships with them could provide steady business.

Conclusion

Offering I-9 form verification as part of your notary business is a smart and valuable service that can set you apart from competitors and increase your client base. With remote work on the rise and the growing demand for I-9 verifications, adding this service allows you to tap into a consistent market while providing a critical service for employers and employees alike.

Be sure to promote this service to local businesses, HR departments, and staffing agencies to make the most of this opportunity. With the right approach, I-9 verification services can become a significant part of your notary business offerings.