What is a “Receipt” for I-9 purposes?

A receipt is DHS-defined temporary proof you may accept in place of an original document in limited situations. It is not a photocopy, scan, or printout of a document. (For I-9, you must see the original document—certified copy only for birth certificates.)

Acceptable receipts & time limits

  • Replacement document receipt (employee applied to replace a lost/stolen/damaged List A, B, or C document): Valid 90 days. Employee must later show the actual replacement (or other acceptable document).
  • I-94 with temporary I-551 (ADIT) stamp + photo: List A—treat like a real document; valid until the stamp expires or 1 year from admission if no date.
  • Refugee I-94 (class “RE” or refugee stamp): List A receipt for 90 days; then present an EAD (I-766) or List B ID + unrestricted SSN card.

Not receipts

  • Photocopies/scans, screenshots, appointment notices, fee/payment “receipts,” or a first-time EAD application notice. (Those are not acceptable receipts for a new hire’s I-9.)

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