Is it normal for a company to ask for a photo ID when finishing my new-hire paperwork?












9















I've been hired by a company recently and now they're finishing my paperwork. Today, I was asked to provide a photo ID. I'm going to use a picture of my license. I want to make sure this is normal procedure. I believe driver's license is public record so more than likely I won't be risking anything. I just like to be sure.



I'm from the United States.










share|improve this question









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Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • Did you meet them on the internet?

    – Fattie
    5 hours ago






  • 4





    What do you think you are risking? What makes you think asking to proof who you are is a strange request?

    – Abigail
    4 hours ago






  • 2





    Have you ever worked for a company before? This is totally standard. IIRC your driver’s license isn’t even enough to verify your identity.

    – ringo
    3 hours ago













  • I expect you mean 'new-hire paperwork', not immigration paperwork, tax paperwork, job application etc. Please edit the title as needed.

    – smci
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    There seems to be a lot of negativity being expressed toward the OP in comments. IMO this question is perfectly reasonable. People should understand the privacy implications of things that they are being forced to do, and it's reasonable to ask about those privacy implications. Personally, I find it creepy and weird to be living in a time and place where a person needs government-issued photo ID in order to live. Historically, this is a recent innovation. There is also a slippery slope here that leads to internal passports as in the USSR.

    – Ben Crowell
    25 mins ago


















9















I've been hired by a company recently and now they're finishing my paperwork. Today, I was asked to provide a photo ID. I'm going to use a picture of my license. I want to make sure this is normal procedure. I believe driver's license is public record so more than likely I won't be risking anything. I just like to be sure.



I'm from the United States.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Did you meet them on the internet?

    – Fattie
    5 hours ago






  • 4





    What do you think you are risking? What makes you think asking to proof who you are is a strange request?

    – Abigail
    4 hours ago






  • 2





    Have you ever worked for a company before? This is totally standard. IIRC your driver’s license isn’t even enough to verify your identity.

    – ringo
    3 hours ago













  • I expect you mean 'new-hire paperwork', not immigration paperwork, tax paperwork, job application etc. Please edit the title as needed.

    – smci
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    There seems to be a lot of negativity being expressed toward the OP in comments. IMO this question is perfectly reasonable. People should understand the privacy implications of things that they are being forced to do, and it's reasonable to ask about those privacy implications. Personally, I find it creepy and weird to be living in a time and place where a person needs government-issued photo ID in order to live. Historically, this is a recent innovation. There is also a slippery slope here that leads to internal passports as in the USSR.

    – Ben Crowell
    25 mins ago
















9












9








9








I've been hired by a company recently and now they're finishing my paperwork. Today, I was asked to provide a photo ID. I'm going to use a picture of my license. I want to make sure this is normal procedure. I believe driver's license is public record so more than likely I won't be risking anything. I just like to be sure.



I'm from the United States.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I've been hired by a company recently and now they're finishing my paperwork. Today, I was asked to provide a photo ID. I'm going to use a picture of my license. I want to make sure this is normal procedure. I believe driver's license is public record so more than likely I won't be risking anything. I just like to be sure.



I'm from the United States.







united-states security






share|improve this question









New contributor




Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago









smci

2,035820




2,035820






New contributor




Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 5 hours ago









Curt RandCurt Rand

574




574




New contributor




Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Curt Rand is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • Did you meet them on the internet?

    – Fattie
    5 hours ago






  • 4





    What do you think you are risking? What makes you think asking to proof who you are is a strange request?

    – Abigail
    4 hours ago






  • 2





    Have you ever worked for a company before? This is totally standard. IIRC your driver’s license isn’t even enough to verify your identity.

    – ringo
    3 hours ago













  • I expect you mean 'new-hire paperwork', not immigration paperwork, tax paperwork, job application etc. Please edit the title as needed.

    – smci
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    There seems to be a lot of negativity being expressed toward the OP in comments. IMO this question is perfectly reasonable. People should understand the privacy implications of things that they are being forced to do, and it's reasonable to ask about those privacy implications. Personally, I find it creepy and weird to be living in a time and place where a person needs government-issued photo ID in order to live. Historically, this is a recent innovation. There is also a slippery slope here that leads to internal passports as in the USSR.

    – Ben Crowell
    25 mins ago





















  • Did you meet them on the internet?

    – Fattie
    5 hours ago






  • 4





    What do you think you are risking? What makes you think asking to proof who you are is a strange request?

    – Abigail
    4 hours ago






  • 2





    Have you ever worked for a company before? This is totally standard. IIRC your driver’s license isn’t even enough to verify your identity.

    – ringo
    3 hours ago













  • I expect you mean 'new-hire paperwork', not immigration paperwork, tax paperwork, job application etc. Please edit the title as needed.

    – smci
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    There seems to be a lot of negativity being expressed toward the OP in comments. IMO this question is perfectly reasonable. People should understand the privacy implications of things that they are being forced to do, and it's reasonable to ask about those privacy implications. Personally, I find it creepy and weird to be living in a time and place where a person needs government-issued photo ID in order to live. Historically, this is a recent innovation. There is also a slippery slope here that leads to internal passports as in the USSR.

    – Ben Crowell
    25 mins ago



















Did you meet them on the internet?

– Fattie
5 hours ago





Did you meet them on the internet?

– Fattie
5 hours ago




4




4





What do you think you are risking? What makes you think asking to proof who you are is a strange request?

– Abigail
4 hours ago





What do you think you are risking? What makes you think asking to proof who you are is a strange request?

– Abigail
4 hours ago




2




2





Have you ever worked for a company before? This is totally standard. IIRC your driver’s license isn’t even enough to verify your identity.

– ringo
3 hours ago







Have you ever worked for a company before? This is totally standard. IIRC your driver’s license isn’t even enough to verify your identity.

– ringo
3 hours ago















I expect you mean 'new-hire paperwork', not immigration paperwork, tax paperwork, job application etc. Please edit the title as needed.

– smci
1 hour ago





I expect you mean 'new-hire paperwork', not immigration paperwork, tax paperwork, job application etc. Please edit the title as needed.

– smci
1 hour ago




1




1





There seems to be a lot of negativity being expressed toward the OP in comments. IMO this question is perfectly reasonable. People should understand the privacy implications of things that they are being forced to do, and it's reasonable to ask about those privacy implications. Personally, I find it creepy and weird to be living in a time and place where a person needs government-issued photo ID in order to live. Historically, this is a recent innovation. There is also a slippery slope here that leads to internal passports as in the USSR.

– Ben Crowell
25 mins ago







There seems to be a lot of negativity being expressed toward the OP in comments. IMO this question is perfectly reasonable. People should understand the privacy implications of things that they are being forced to do, and it's reasonable to ask about those privacy implications. Personally, I find it creepy and weird to be living in a time and place where a person needs government-issued photo ID in order to live. Historically, this is a recent innovation. There is also a slippery slope here that leads to internal passports as in the USSR.

– Ben Crowell
25 mins ago












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















37














In the United States, employers are required to complete an I-9 form that verifies you have the right to work. That form requires the employer to check your ID, and includes a list of acceptable IDs. (USCIS page on I-9)





share



















  • 1





    Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

    – zakinster
    1 hour ago











  • @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

    – william porter
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    1 hour ago













  • @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

    – william porter
    1 hour ago





















7














100% standard. They're just verifying that the person in front of them is the person they are claiming to be.






share|improve this answer
























  • Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

    – Twyxz
    5 hours ago



















6














Yes, this is very much normal in most of the organizations around the world. For example: Passport / voter ID card is the most common ones used in my country.






share|improve this answer

























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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    37














    In the United States, employers are required to complete an I-9 form that verifies you have the right to work. That form requires the employer to check your ID, and includes a list of acceptable IDs. (USCIS page on I-9)





    share



















    • 1





      Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

      – zakinster
      1 hour ago











    • @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago






    • 1





      @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      1 hour ago













    • @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago


















    37














    In the United States, employers are required to complete an I-9 form that verifies you have the right to work. That form requires the employer to check your ID, and includes a list of acceptable IDs. (USCIS page on I-9)





    share



















    • 1





      Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

      – zakinster
      1 hour ago











    • @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago






    • 1





      @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      1 hour ago













    • @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago
















    37












    37








    37







    In the United States, employers are required to complete an I-9 form that verifies you have the right to work. That form requires the employer to check your ID, and includes a list of acceptable IDs. (USCIS page on I-9)





    share













    In the United States, employers are required to complete an I-9 form that verifies you have the right to work. That form requires the employer to check your ID, and includes a list of acceptable IDs. (USCIS page on I-9)






    share











    share


    share










    answered 5 hours ago









    KathyKathy

    2,1011017




    2,1011017








    • 1





      Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

      – zakinster
      1 hour ago











    • @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago






    • 1





      @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      1 hour ago













    • @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago
















    • 1





      Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

      – zakinster
      1 hour ago











    • @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago






    • 1





      @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      1 hour ago













    • @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

      – william porter
      1 hour ago










    1




    1





    Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

    – zakinster
    1 hour ago





    Could you include the list of acceptable IDs in your answer because when I tried to check in the link I got the nice message "Please wait...your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document"?

    – zakinster
    1 hour ago













    @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

    – william porter
    1 hour ago





    @zakinster you'll get that error if you try to open the document in a browser, you need to download it and then open it in a valid PDF viewer such as adobe acrobat.

    – william porter
    1 hour ago




    1




    1





    @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    1 hour ago







    @williamporter No, even downloading & opening it will result in that message (I just did it) unless you have one of a small subset of viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat). Other viewers are completely "valid" - this is a fairly unnecessary restriction. Also we prefer to have the content here rather than requiring people to download external resources to get the answer (though of course the external site should be considered authoritative!)

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    1 hour ago















    @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

    – william porter
    1 hour ago







    @LightnessRacesinOrbit Which is why I edited the post to include an image of the valid documents (should be in review queue currently). I figured I'd explain the source of the error to them however, as that seems polite. Also note that providing the content here could be an issue, as there may be updates to the list by the relevant authority, which a person simply viewing this question may not see.

    – william porter
    1 hour ago















    7














    100% standard. They're just verifying that the person in front of them is the person they are claiming to be.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

      – Twyxz
      5 hours ago
















    7














    100% standard. They're just verifying that the person in front of them is the person they are claiming to be.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

      – Twyxz
      5 hours ago














    7












    7








    7







    100% standard. They're just verifying that the person in front of them is the person they are claiming to be.






    share|improve this answer













    100% standard. They're just verifying that the person in front of them is the person they are claiming to be.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 5 hours ago









    Richard URichard U

    90.1k64231356




    90.1k64231356













    • Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

      – Twyxz
      5 hours ago



















    • Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

      – Twyxz
      5 hours ago

















    Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

    – Twyxz
    5 hours ago





    Reasons being that they clarify you're the person claiming to be able to do the job and you're not dodging tax.

    – Twyxz
    5 hours ago











    6














    Yes, this is very much normal in most of the organizations around the world. For example: Passport / voter ID card is the most common ones used in my country.






    share|improve this answer






























      6














      Yes, this is very much normal in most of the organizations around the world. For example: Passport / voter ID card is the most common ones used in my country.






      share|improve this answer




























        6












        6








        6







        Yes, this is very much normal in most of the organizations around the world. For example: Passport / voter ID card is the most common ones used in my country.






        share|improve this answer















        Yes, this is very much normal in most of the organizations around the world. For example: Passport / voter ID card is the most common ones used in my country.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 5 hours ago









        Ed Heal

        9,80231848




        9,80231848










        answered 5 hours ago









        Sourav GhoshSourav Ghosh

        216310




        216310






















            Curt Rand is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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