Correcting Errors or Missing Information on I-9 Forms in Houston

Form I-9 is a document all employers are required to use when verifying the right of their employees to work in Houston. These documents include information that confirms an employee’s legal right to seek employment in this country. The form is relatively simple, but mistakes are unfortunately common. The good news is that there is a process for fixing these mistakes. Correcting errors or missing information on I-9 forms in Houston can help you avoid civil penalties and other steep consequences. That said, making these corrections without the guidance of a dedicated I-9 compliance attorney could make things worse. Reach out today to learn how our firm can help.

What are Common Errors on I-9 Forms?

There are a number of errors or missing details that warrant correction in Houston I-9 forms. One of the biggest problems facing employers is omissions and incomplete sections. Even leaving out a single entry in the form can cause serious issues.

Incorrect information creates significant problems. Whether the errors result from honest mistakes or an attempt to unlawfully secure employment in the United States, they pose a serious issue for your company when discovered during an audit.

Many errors involve supporting documents rather than the form itself. Frequent mistakes include failing to obtain copies of required records or overlooking their expiration dates. Improper verification of these documents raises a major red flag during I-9 audits. There is, however, a process to correct these mistakes.

Rules for Correcting I-9 Errors

When employers discover mistakes on an I-9 form, they should correct them promptly to maintain compliance. Employers must preserve the original entry while clearly indicating the correction. They must not use white-out, erasing, or rewriting the entire form, as these actions could lead federal authorities to believe the employer attempted to conceal an error or engage in fraudulent activity.

Instead, errors are crossed out with a single line, corrected with accurate information, and initialed and dated by the person making the change. In Houston, each section of the I-9 has specific rules correcting errors or missing information.

Section 1 (Employee Information)

Only the employee may correct errors in Section 1 because the details involve personal identifying information. If the employee is no longer available, the employer must attach a signed and dated memo explaining the error and why that person could not correct it directly.

Section 2 (Employer Verification)

Employers must fix mistakes in Section 2, including errors in document titles, issuing authorities, or expiration dates. The employer representative who verified the documents, or another authorized agent, should make the corrections and clearly note their initials and the correction date.

Section 3 (Reverification)

Corrections in Section 3, which covers reverification and rehires, must also be made by the employer. There should be notations on when the correction was made, and ideally, include a signed statement regarding the alteration.

Talk to a Houston Attorney About Correcting Errors or Missing Information on I-9 Forms

While these errors are serious matters that can have a dramatic impact on your business, there is a process for fixing them. Ideally, you can make these alterations as soon as you recognize the mistake instead of waiting until it shows up during an audit.

If you have questions about correcting errors or missing information on I-9 forms in Houston, now is the right time to ask. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to schedule your confidential consultation.