Can I use the receipt notice for a replacement EAD application…

Yes, you can use your receipt notice for a replacement EAD as a temporary document for Form I-9 verification.

“Can I use the receipt notice for a replacement EAD application as a temporary document for Form I-9 verification if my original card was lost in the mail, and does this count as a List A or List C document? If my employer uses a third-party service like Fragomen, will I need to provide additional proof that the original card never arrived, and are there specific reasons why an HR department might reject this receipt?”

Summary

You can cross this worry off your list. Your employer must accept this receipt for 90 days, and they cannot demand extra proof that your original card was lost in the mail.

You have two ways to complete your Form I-9 verification while you wait for your physical card.

Use the replacement receipt90 days

Present your I-765 receipt notice for the replacement EAD. This gives you 90 days of temporary work authorization.

Present alternative documentsImmediate

If you do not want to use the receipt rule, you can present a different valid List A document, or a combination of a List B identity document and a List C employment authorization document right away.

Read the full explanation

How the receipt rule applies to you

**List A or List C:** A receipt counts as the same list category as the document it replaces. Because an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a List A document, your replacement receipt counts as a List A document.

**Additional proof of loss:** You do not need to provide additional proof that the original card never arrived. The rules state that an employer must accept a receipt for a lost, stolen, or damaged document. This applies to all employers and third-party services.

**Reasons for rejection:** An HR department can only reject this receipt if your employment will last less than three business days. If your employer uses E-Verify, they must wait to create your E-Verify case until you show the physical card, but they still must accept the receipt for the Form I-9 itself.

Next steps

Follow these steps to complete your Form I-9 using your replacement receipt.

Present the receipt notice

Show the I-765 receipt notice for your replacement EAD to your employer within three business days of your hire date or reverification date.

Employer records the receipt

Your employer must accept the receipt for 90 days. They will record the word 'Receipt' and the document title in Section 2 of your Form I-9 without requiring separate proof of the original card's loss.

E-Verify delay

If your employer participates in E-Verify, they must delay creating the E-Verify case until you present the physical document.

Present the physical card

Within 90 days, you must present the physical replacement EAD to your employer to finalize Section 2. If you cannot present the EAD, you may present a different acceptable document combination, such as a List B identity document and a List C unrestricted Social Security card.

Others who faced this

You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.

STEM OPT EAD lost by USPS – applied for replacement, received receipt notice. Can I work with this? Any advice?

u/Constant-Bluebird305r/USCISApr 29, 2026

Hi everyone, I’m in a pretty stressful situation and would really appreciate any guidance or similar experiences. I’m currently on STEM OPT. My EAD was approved and mailed by USCIS, but unfortunately it got lost in transit by USPS. USPS has officially confirmed that the package is lost and even mentioned that it was likely misdelivered due to a scanning overlap error. I waited \~13 days after the last scan, followed up multiple times, and since recovery wasn’t successful, I’ve now applied for a replacement EAD. I’ve received the receipt notice (I-797C) for the replacement application. Here’

2 View on Reddit

Initial OPT EAD card delivery delayed by USPS — can I work with replacement receipt?

u/Boring-Obligation-77r/immigrationFeb 2, 2026

Hi everyone, I’m on initial OPT. My EAD was approved on Jan 16, and the card was produced and mailed via USPS on Jan 23. Due to severe winter weather, USPS believes the mail may have been misrouted and it’s still in transit. A missing mail search is open, and USPS has issued a letter confirming non-delivery. My start date has been moved to Feb 9 due to this delay. If I file for a replacement EAD (I-765 for non-delivery), can I legally begin work using the replacement filing receipt together with the original approval notice, and then present the physical EAD once it arrives? Has anyone on

2 View on Reddit

Anyone use an EAD replacement receipt for Fieldprint I-9?

u/Superb_Patience_4972r/USCISMay 27, 2026

Hi everyone, I’m onboarding with a large financial firm that uses Fieldprint for fingerprinting and remote I-9 Section 2 verification. My original work authorization is valid through 2027, but my physical EAD card was lost in transit and I filed for a replacement. I have: • unexpired interim state ID, • USCIS I-797C receipt notice for the replacement EAD, • original I-797 approval notice. Has anyone successfully completed Fieldprint I-9 verification using a replacement EAD receipt notice, or did it have to go through HR/compliance review first? Just looking for real

2 View on Reddit

Legal sources

These facts come directly from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rules for Form I-9.

Receipts | USCIS

A receipt for a replacement of a lost or damaged document is acceptable for Form I-9.

Receipts | USCIS

A receipt showing that your employee has applied to replace a List A, B, or C document that was lost, stolen, or damaged.

Read the full text

4.4 Acceptable Receipts

The receipt takes the same List category as the document it replaces.

4.4 Acceptable Receipts

Can be List A, B, or C, depending on which document the receipt relates to.

Read the full text

USCIS — I-9 Acceptable Documents

An Employment Authorization Document is a List A document.

USCIS — I-9 Acceptable Documents

Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766)

Read the full text

Receipts | USCIS

The replacement receipt is valid for 90 days from the date of hire or reverification.

Receipts | USCIS

This receipt is valid for 90 days from the date of hire (meaning, first day of work for pay) or in the case of reverification, 90 days from the date employment authorization expired.

Read the full text

4.4 Acceptable Receipts

Employers must accept the receipt unless the job lasts fewer than three days.

4.4 Acceptable Receipts

You must accept a receipt in place of List A, B, or C documentation if the employee presents one, unless employment will last less than three business days.

Read the full text

2.1.1 Receipts | E-Verify

Employers using E-Verify must wait for the physical document before creating the E-Verify case.

2.1.1 Receipts | E-Verify

If the employee presents an acceptable receipt for Form I-9 showing that he or she applied to replace a document that was lost, stolen, or damaged, the employer must wait to create a case in E-Verify.

Read the full text

This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.

Summary

How the receipt rule applies to you

Next steps

Others who faced this

Legal sources

Related answers

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