Human Resources
Finance & Administration

I-9 Completion Information

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  • An I-9 form and identification indicating eligibility to work in the United States

All U.S. employers must properly complete Form I-9 for every individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and noncitizens. Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form. We've provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the process of submitting I-9 forms at Lehigh below.

Follow this link to reach the I-9 Form and instructions for completing the form.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Who needs to complete an I-9 form?

All new hires (staff, faculty and students) and some rehires are required to complete an I-9 form to prove identity and eligibility to legally work in the United States. Any nonimmigrant foreign national employee whose work authorization is updated, extended, amended, or changed must also complete a new I-9 form when any of these changes happen.

When must the I-9 process be completed?

The employee must complete Section 1 of the I-9 form ON or BEFORE the first day of work. HR must verify the I-9 form within three days of the date of hire

 
How does the new employee know what documents to present to prove identity and ability to work in the United States?

The federal government has created a List of Acceptable Documents for I-9 purposes.

What happens when a new employee does not present the required identity and employment eligibility documents within three days after the hire date?

The employee must provide the required documentation to prove identity and employment eligibility within three days of the hire date. If the I-9 is incomplete, the employee cannot continue working and this may or may not result in a delay of compensation. 

Does the employee have to show the documents in person?

Yes. The employee is required to show the Section 2 documents in person. This is required to ensure the legitimacy of the documents presented.

May I present a photocopy, faxed copy, or emailed copy of a document?

No. Only original documents are accepted for I-9 purposes.

Can I complete the I-9 via Zoom?

Zoom appointments are only available for fully remote employees.

What if I receive a Tentative Non-Confirmation (TNC)?

You will receive a form from HR with instructions on how to proceed.

How do I schedule an I-9 appointment with Human Resources?

Please use this link through Calendly to select an appointment time.

For International Employees

What should I do if I do not have a valid Social Security Number?

If you do not have a valid Social Security Number you still must complete an I-9 form. If you do not know how to obtain a Social Security Number, you can follow these instructions. When a Social Security Number is obtained, please contact HR to update your I-9. 

 
What citizen status is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?

An EAD is a Noncitizen status.

What if I did not receive an I-94?

Log in to the DHS website via this link  and select “Get most recent.”

 

For Fully Remote Employees

How do I complete an I-9 if I am fully remote?

When registering for an I-9 appointment on Calendly select "Yes" as your answer to the fully remote question. A representative from HR will conduct the I-9 appointment with you via Zoom.

 

For Managers

Can I complete the I-9 with my employee or do they have to meet with HR?

You may complete the I-9 and designate yourself as the authorized employer representative on the form.  Note that you must review original documents and then send all paperwork to HR via LU Filesender addressing the envelope to ini9@lehigh.edu.

 
Do the last name in Section 1 and on the employee's IDs have to fully match?

You may accept a document with a different name than the name entered in Section 1 provided that you attach a brief memo to Form I-9 stating the reason for the name discrepancy, along with any supporting documentation the employee provides.

 
If I do an employee's I-9 where do I send the completed documents?

Please send the completed I-9 along with copies of the employee’s documentation to Human Resources via Filesender.  The envelope should be addressed to ini9@lehigh.edu.

How do I check on the status of an I-9?

To check if an I-9 has been completed, you can contact ini9@lehigh.edu or 610-758-3900. To check if an I-9 has been processed, you can contact inpayrol@lehigh.edu or 610-758-2900. Note that HR and Payroll do not disclose confidential information which may be obtained during an I-9 or E-Verify session.

 
What is the deadline for me to complete an I-9?

Employees must complete an I-9 by their third day of employment or they will not be able to return to work until it is completed.