As a business, it is important to understand the regulations around acceptable documents for identity verification in compliance with the USA laws.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) official website provides a list of accepted documents that can be used to confirm someone’s identity. Each document must meet specific standards, including being an original or certified copy, issued by a government agency, and displaying the bearer’s current name and address. It must also contain a valid date, expiration date (where applicable), and other personal information.
This article will help you understand EDD-acceptable documents for identity verification to ensure that your business is compliant with all applicable laws.
We will give you an overview of different types of accepted documents, discuss their unique criteria, and explain how you can use them for verifying someone’s identity.
What Are EDD Acceptable Documents for Identity Verification?
EDD-acceptable documents for identity verification are documents that comply with the USA laws and regulations for identity verification.
They are required when conducting identity-related transactions such as opening a bank account or applying for a loan. Ensuring proper identification is necessary to protect individuals, businesses, and financial institutions from fraud and other types of illegal activity. It also helps to prevent criminals from taking advantage of vulnerable populations.
The EDD-acceptable documents must include either a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) or a document that includes all the following information:
- Full name,
- Date of birth,
- Home address, and
- Social Security number.
Alternative to these documents, customers may provide two forms of non-photo ID that must include the full name and one other item of identification—like a Social Security card, student ID card, or health insurance card—in order to be accepted.
In summary, EDD-acceptable documents for identity verification must include either one form of government-issued photo ID or two forms of non-photo ID along with personal information for individual identity verification.
List of EDD-acceptable Documents for Identity Verification
When verifying the identity of employees, employers must ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Eligibility Verification Program (EDVP).
This is done by verifying certain documents from each employee, including a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID card with a photograph, Social Security card or record of authorization, and current passport or visa.
Here is a list of acceptable documents to help you verify an employee’s identity in compliance with EDVP:
- Driver’s License issued by any U.S. state
- U.S. Social Security card
- Current U.S.-issued passport
- Permanent resident card or foreign passport with I-551 stamp
- DHS issued Employment Authorization document that has a photograph
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS containing a photograph
- Native American or Alaskan Native tribal document presented instead of a driver's license
- Certificate of Citizenship issued by the USCIS containing the photograph
- The use of a Resident Citizen Identification Card(Form I-179) in the United States of America
What are the Benefits of EDD Compliance?
When it comes to identity verification, staying compliant with the EDD (Employment Development Department) means you are following the laws and regulations of the United States. This can offer many beneficial outcomes.
1. Satisfying Compliance Obligations
Compliance with EDD regulations offers peace of mind in knowing your identity verification processes are up-to-date with all applicable laws. This removes any worry that you may be vulnerable to identity fraud or accidental information disclosure.
2. Reduced Liabilities
Staying EDD-compliant also helps to reduce liabilities when it comes to financial information stolen from your customers. By demonstrating compliance and adopting comprehensive security measures, you can help protect yourself from potential lawsuits or financial repercussions due to data breaches or other similar scenarios.
3. Updated Verification Standards
EDD compliance also keeps your identity verification processes updated with the latest legal requirements and standards for issuing documents used for identity production.
These updated standards help ensure that your verification system meets all legal requirements, providing confidence in the integrity of the documents being provided by customers.
Verifying Identity Under USA Laws
When it comes to identity verification, the United States has established a comprehensive set of laws and standards known as the USA Patriot Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Statutes.
These federal laws protect consumers by ensuring businesses verify customer identity before providing services or products. To comply with these laws, businesses must accept certain types of EDD-acceptable documents for identity verification.
Here is a list of EDD-acceptable documents for Identity Verification in compliance with USA Laws:
a. Driver’s license or state-issued ID
A valid driver’s license or state-issued photo identification card from any US state will suffice as proof of identity.
b. Passport or passport card
Passports from any country will suffice, but only US passport cards are eligible for fulfilling this requirement on their own.
c. United States Military ID
Active duty personnel may use their government-issued identification as proof of identity when making financial transactions.
d. US Permanent Resident Card
US green cards are an accepted form of identification when setting up an account or verifying your identity with a financial institution, employer, or other entity doing business in the United States.
e. Social Security Number (SSN)
An individual's social security number is often used to verify their identity and authenticate their presence in the US, provided that they have been lawfully admitted into the country and have not been convicted of fraud involving SSN misuse or misrepresentation.
Tips to Ensure Your Business Remains in Compliance With EDD
Remaining compliant with the Employment Development Department's (EDD) regulations is vital for businesses to avoid fines and other legal penalties.
To ensure you remain in compliance, it is important to understand the EDD-acceptable documents for identity verification.
Here are some tips to help:
1. Know Your Local Regulations
Each state has unique laws and regulations surrounding identification requirements when it comes to employee verification. To make sure you comply with your local laws, be sure to check with your state’s EDD.
2. Have an Updated Verification Process
Having a process in place that is designed to meet EDD-mandated requirements is an essential part of staying compliant. If your process is outdated or incomplete, you may be found non-compliant and subjected to fees or fines.
3. Take Advantage of Document Verification Services
Using a document verification service like Youverify can make staying compliant easier by quickly verifying the identity of employees using EDD-acceptable documents.
This helps ensure that all employees have completed their necessary onboarding steps and that your business remains in compliance with all local laws.
FAQs on EDD Acceptable Documents
When it comes to identity verification, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Development Division (EDD) has some specific requirements to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
To help you get a better understanding, here are some frequently asked questions about EDD-acceptable documents:
What Documents Does EDD Require?
The EDD requires employers to accept either a government-issued photo identification (such as a driver's license or passport) or a document that contains the employee's name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill.
In addition, employers must also accept any additional documentation that is necessary for specific industries and positions, such as receipts for birth certificates or employment authorization documents for noncitizens.
Can I Use Digital Documents for EDD Verification?
Yes! The EDD allows employers to accept digital copies of accepted documents instead of requiring applicants to physically present the originals.
However, employers must still ensure that these documents are verified through an appropriate identity verification program.
Are There Any Other Requirements?
Yes – employers must ensure that all accepted documents are valid and up-to-date before they can be used in identity verification processes.
Additionally, employers must also keep copies of these documents on file in case they need them for any future reviews or audits.
Bottom Line
EDD-acceptable documents for identity verification are required in many contexts, especially in the US. It is essential for organizations to understand the EDD standards for identity verification and to comply with them.
Youverify offers both software and services to help organizations meet their identity verification requirements. We are committed to helping our customers maintain compliance with EDD and make identity verification a smooth and secure process.
See how 100+ leading companies use Youverify for compliance with EDD identity verification. Request a demo today.