OutSolve Blog

outRageous HR: I-9 Authorized Reps: Choose Wisely or Pay the Price

Written by OutSolve | Sep 11, 2025 4:57:34 PM

Spoiler alert: Just because your new hire's neighbor can verify and sign Section 2 of the Form I-9, doesn’t mean they should. 

In the latest episode of outRageous HR, compliance pros take on one of the most important aspects of Form I-9 compliance: the I-9 Authorized Representative. Host Catherine Bourdreaux is joined by I-9 expert Desiree Throckmorton to clarify who can serve as an I-9 authorized rep, what they’re allowed to do, and why getting this right the first time matters more than ever. 

 

In this episode titled I-9 Authorized Reps: Choose Wisely or Pay the Price, Desiree and Catherine cover: 

  • What an I-9 Authorized Representative is and why the employer bears the compliance risk for their actions 
  • What your rep is authorized to do and the consequences of hiring someone untrained 
  • Real-world cautionary tales—including a rep who charged an employee $25 to sign the form 
  • The 2023 regulatory shift that now permits remote I-9 verification via video and what rules apply 
  • Why “just having someone there” isn’t enough, even if it only takes six minutes to complete Section 2 
  • The importance of consistency and following a documented process 

How OutSolve Can Help

Need help navigating remote I-9 compliance? Whether you’re unsure who can act as an authorized rep or want a vetted, trained solution for remote hires, OutSolve’s I-9 services are built for today’s hybrid workforce. 

OutSolve’s I-9 employment verification solution offers: 

  • Trained I-9 authorized representatives 
  • Remote-friendly, video-based Section 2 verification 
  • A consistent, compliant process for every new hire 
  • Digital storage and document retention 

Don’t let your I-9 process fall apart over a technicality. Let OutSolve handle the risk, so you can focus on hiring the right people.