Greetings,

As you may recall during the pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) permitted employers flexibility as it relates to the physical inspection of Form I-9 documentation. These flexibilities included remote inspection of these required documents via electronic means.

The COVID-19 temporary flexibilities for Form I-9, will end on July 31, 2023.  For employees whose documents were inspected remotely during the pandemic temporary flexibilities, employers must complete in-person physical document inspections by August 30, 2023. 

Steps to take today:

• Audit your I-9 files to determine which employees were verified via these temporary measures
• Develop a plan to complete required in-person physical documentation verification.
• Complete needed in-person re-verification by August 30, 2023

I am here to help guide you through this and to provide strategies for your organization to help meet these requirements for your remote staff. For example, employers may choose to designate an authorized representative to complete Forms I-9 and conduct an in-person physical document inspection on your behalf.

See Completing Section 2 on I-9 Central