What to do if your are presented a Restricted Social Security Card?

When it comes to reviewing Section 2 of Form I-9, I see many mistakes when Employers accept and put down the incorrect social security card as a List C document. 

Per USCIS guidelines, a Social Security that is UNRESTRICTED (see image below)  is an acceptable List C document. You CAN accept them if they are laminated as well. 

A RESTRICTED Social Security card (as pictured below) is not an acceptable List C document. Restricted Social Security cards are stamped with one of the following restrictions:

  • 🚫 “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION”
  • 🚫 “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION”
  • 🚫 “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT”

If you want to learn more about what to do if you are presented with a restricted social security card, review the video below. 

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