An authorized representative is a person designated by the employer to complete Section 2 of Form I-9 by physically examining the employee's identity and employment authorization documents, verifying their authenticity, and certifying that the documents appear genuine and relate to the employee presenting them. The authorized representative can be any individual over 18 years old, including mobile notaries, HR professionals, third-party service providers, or even other employees within the organization—the employer determines who is authorized to act on their behalf. However, the employer retains full legal liability for any errors, omissions, or violations on I-9 forms completed by their authorized representative, making proper training and reliable service providers critical to compliance.

Federal law does not require authorized representatives to have special training, licensing, or certification, but employers must ensure their representatives understand I-9 requirements, acceptable document lists (List A, B, and C), fraud detection basics, and anti-discrimination rules that prohibit requesting specific documents or rejecting valid documentation based on national origin or citizenship status. Many employers use mobile notary services as authorized representatives because notaries are already trained in identity verification, document examination, and record-keeping practices that align with I-9 compliance standards. The authorized representative must be physically present with the employee during Section 2 completion—remote verification via video is only a temporary accommodation through December 2025 and still requires subsequent physical inspection.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary serves as a trusted authorized representative for I-9 verification throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Boulder City, providing professional document examination services for employers with remote workers, multi-location operations, or limited HR staff. Our mobile notaries travel to employee locations—home offices, co-working spaces, or any convenient site—complete Section 2 verification with proper physical document inspection, and provide employers with compliant, audit-ready I-9 forms. This service eliminates the burden of coordinating internal authorized representatives, reduces employer liability through professional verification, and ensures every I-9 meets federal standards that withstand ICE audits.

Out-of-state buyers have three primary options for closing when they cannot attend in person: Remote Online Notarization (RON), local notarization in their home state, or coordinating a mobile notary to travel. Remote Online Notarization is increasingly accepted by title companies and Nevada lenders, allowing the buyer to sign and notarize documents via secure video call from anywhere, eliminating the need for travel or complex multi-state coordination.

Option 1: Remote Online Notarization (RON) ⭐ Recommended

• Buyer signs documents via video with commissioned Nevada eNotary
• No travel required; all-digital workflow
• Nevada law recognizes RON for real estate transactions
• Typically completes in 1-2 business days
• Lower cost than travel or apostille alternatives
• Title company must approve RON platform in advance

Option 2: Home State Notarization (More Complex)

• Buyer uses local notary in their home state
• Notarization must be recognized in Nevada (reciprocity applies)
• May require apostille certification for multi-state validity
• Coordination required with title company & lender
• Potential delays due to notary availability mismatch
• More expensive (notarization + apostille fees)

Option 3: Notary Travel (Premium Option)

• Mobile notary travels to buyer's location for in-person signing
• Rarely done due to cost and logistics
• Only practical for high-value transactions or complex situations

✅ Best Practice for Nevada Property Buyers:

Early communication is critical. Contact your title company within days of purchase agreement to confirm they support Remote Online Notarization. Many do. If your title company doesn't support RON, explore Option 2 with their guidance on apostille requirements. Lake Mead Mobile Notary provides real estate closing coordination, connecting out-of-state buyers with certified notaries in Las Vegas and Summerlin to streamline closing timelines.

Related Questions

• Are You Allowed to Use Your Own Notary for Real Estate Closing Instead of Title Company's?
• What Happens If a Deed Is Notarized Incorrectly—Can It Be Fixed?
• How Do You Notarize Event Contracts When Vendor and Client Live in Different States?

The 2025 I-9 penalty structure includes three categories of violations with inflation-adjusted amounts. I-9 paperwork violations range from $288 to $2,861 per form for incomplete or incorrect Section 1, Section 2, or Section 3 entries, missing signatures, incorrect dates, or failure to retain completed forms for the required period. Knowing hire violations for employing unauthorized workers range from $716 to $28,619 per employee depending on repeat offense history and whether the violation was a first offense, second offense, or pattern of practice. Document fraud violations for accepting fraudulent documents, failing to properly examine identity documents, or requesting specific documents instead of allowing employee choice range from $590 to $11,823 per violation.

These penalties are adjusted annually for inflation per the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act and apply to all employers regardless of company size or industry. ICE can impose multiple violation types on a single employee's I-9 form—for example, a paperwork violation AND a knowing hire violation—resulting in combined penalties exceeding $31,000 for one employee. First-time offenders typically receive penalties at the lower end of the range, while employers with prior violations, patterns of non-compliance, or evidence of discriminatory practices face maximum penalties plus potential criminal prosecution.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary serves as an authorized representative for I-9 verification throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County, providing compliant Section 2 completion services that reduce your exposure to these costly penalties. Our mobile notaries examine employee documents at your Las Vegas Medical District office, remote worker locations, or multi-site facilities, ensuring every I-9 form meets federal standards and withstands ICE audits.