Employment eligibility verification system and method

Abstract

A computer system and method for obtaining electronic signatures is disclosed for paperless processing of electronic employment documents, and for automating employment authorization verification. After substantial completion of the fillable fields of an electronic document by a user, the system displays an affirmation screen with affirmation language necessary to meet a statutory requirement for a valid electronic signature and an interface element affirming such language. Only after the interface element has been actuated is a file containing the completed fillable fields marked with an indication that the file has been electronically signed. The employment eligibility verification aspects disclosed utilize a database and server architecture to receive information provided on an electronic employment eligibility form and to perform computerized employment eligibility verification queries with the Federal Government.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for performing automatic computerized employment authorization queries, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an electronic form having at least one variable to be entered;   providing a first database for storing a record for a person corresponding to the at least one variable;   storing the at least one variable in the record in the first database;   providing a first authorization interface for receiving the person's electronic signature, the first authorization interface comprising a first user interface element for obtaining the person's electronic signature;   receiving data transmitted by a signature server, said data confirming verification by the signature server of the person's electronic signature;   providing a second authorization interface for receiving an employer's electronic signature, the second authorization interface comprising:
 a first employer interface element for obtaining the employer's electronic signature upon employer selection of the first employer interface element; and 
 a second employer interface element for obtaining an instant signature from the employer; 
   transmitting the at least one variable to a remote system having employment eligibility information; and   receiving an indication from the remote system that the person corresponding to the at least one variable is legally eligible for employment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a first authorization interface for receiving the person's electronic signature further comprises the step of providing a second user interface element for enabling the person to withdraw a certified electronic signature previously entered by the person. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second authorization interface further comprises a third employer interface element for calling an account management interface having a first account management interface element for creating an electronic signature account, and a second account management interface element for managing the electronic signature account. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a third authorization interface for receiving a preparer's electronic signature, the third authorization interface comprising:
 a first preparer interface element for obtaining the preparer's electronic signature via username and password; 
 a second preparer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the preparer; and 
 a third preparer interface element for calling the account management interface. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a third authorization interface for receiving a preparer's electronic signature, the third authorization interface comprising:
 a first preparer interface element for obtaining the preparer's electronic signature via username and password; 
 a second preparer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the preparer; and 
 a third preparer interface element for calling the account management interface. 
   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one variable is an alien verification number. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the person's electronic signature comprises an E-Sign Act and DHS interim rule for electronic signature and storage for a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification compliant electronic signature. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of transmitting a second indication that the person is legally eligible for employment based on the receipt of the indication from the system that the person corresponding to the at least one variable is legally eligible for employment. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing automatic processing of an immigration form, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying a first screen having a fillable field for receiving immigration information;   displaying a first authorization interface for receiving a person's electronic signature, the first authorization interface comprising a first user interface element for obtaining the person's electronic signature;   displaying a second authorization interface for receiving an employer's electronic signature, the second authorization interface comprising:
 a first employer interface element for obtaining the employer's electronic signature upon employer selection of the first employer interface element; and 
 a second employer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the employer; and 
   marking a file as electronically signed based upon an interaction with one of the first user interface element, the first employer interface element, or the second employer interface element.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of displaying a first authorization interface for receiving a person's electronic signature further comprises the step of providing a second user interface element for enabling the person to withdraw a certified electronic signature previously entered by the person. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a third authorization interface for receiving a preparer's electronic signature, the third authorization interface comprising:
 a first preparer interface element for obtaining the preparer's electronic signature via username and password; and 
 a second preparer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the preparer. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a third authorization interface for receiving a preparer's electronic signature, the third authorization interface comprising:
 a first preparer interface element for obtaining the preparer's electronic signature via username and password; 
 a second preparer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the preparer; and 
 a third preparer interface element for calling an account management interface having a first account management interface element for creating an electronic signature account, and a second account management interface element for managing the electronic signature account. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of displaying an interface configured to allow association of an attached document with the file. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of receiving a notification of whether the person is eligible for employment based upon the immigration information. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of storing user consent information for use in a plurality of electronic immigration forms, wherein a consent statement need not be executed each time one of the plurality of electronic immigration forms is processed. 
     
     
         16 . A system for performing computerized employment authorization queries, the system comprising:
 an electronic form having at least one variable to be entered by a user, the electronic form configured to verify valid entry of the at least one variable by the user;   a first database for storing of a record for a person, the first database configured to store the at least one variable in the record for the person; and   a processor configured to:
 provide a first authorization interface for receiving the person's electronic signature, the first authorization interface comprising a first user interface element for obtaining the person's electronic signature; 
 provide a second authorization interface for receiving an employer's electronic signature, the second authorization interface comprising:
 a first employer interface element for obtaining the employer's electronic signature upon employer selection of the first employer interface element; and 
 a second employer interface element for obtaining an instant signature from the employer; 
 
 transmit the at least one variable to a remote system containing employment eligibility information; and 
 receive an indication, from the remote federal government system, that the person corresponding to the at least one variable is legally eligible for employment. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first authorization interface for receiving the person's electronic signature further comprises a second user interface element for enabling the person to withdraw a certified electronic signature previously entered by the person. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second authorization interface for receiving an employer's electronic signature further comprises a third employer interface element for calling an account management interface having a first account management interface element for creating an electronic signature account, and a second account management interface element for managing the electronic signature account. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 provide a third authorization interface for receiving a preparer's electronic signature, the second authorization interface comprising:
 a first employer interface element for obtaining the employer's electronic signature upon employer selection of the first employer interface element; and 
 a second preparer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the preparer. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 provide a third authorization interface for receiving a preparer's electronic signature, the second authorization interface comprising:
 a first preparer interface element for obtaining the preparer's electronic signature via username and password; and 
 a second preparer interface element for obtaining an electronic instant signature from the preparer.