An employment certificate, often referred to as "working papers," is required for minors under 18 before they may begin work. High school graduates, minors who work for their parents, and minors who do industrial homework are included in this group.

Working papers are issued by all local school districts.  Many youth who are employed in the Chautauqua Lake area, including Chautauqua Institution, get working papers at Chautauqua Lake Central School, but any area school may issue working papers.

• Students who are enrolled at CLCS during the school year should get working papers in the Secondary School Guidance Office.
• Students who attend other schools in New York State should apply for working papers at their home schools.
• Students from other states — or from other regions of New York State who did not secure working papers from their home schools — and who plan to work in Chautauqua County may apply at any school in New York State.  Students from other states, or from other areas of New York State, who plan to work within the boundaries of the Chautauqua Lake Central School District, do not necessarily need to get their working papers from CLCS.

Note: We anticipate that working papers will only be available during the specific times listed, but we cannot guarantee a staff person will be available.  It is best to call ahead to be sure.

• 8 a.m - 2:30 p.m., most school days
• 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., most summer weekdays
• Other days/times by appointment or by chance

Due to other responsibilities and vacation schedules, please call ahead to ensure availability. The Registrar’s Office, (716) 753-5910, or the Secondary School Office, (716) 753-5881, can assist with working papers.
 

How do I apply for working papers? 

1. Complete Part I of the Appropriate Form.
*Note that there are two forms. 

Form AT-17

• Nonfactory Employement Certificate
  • Valid for lawful employment of a minor, 14-15 years of age, enrolled in day school when attendance is not required.
• Student General Employment Certificate
  • Valid for lawful employment of a minor, 16-17 years of age, enrolled in day school when attendance is not required.
• Full-Time Employment Certificate
  • Valid for lawful employment of a minor, 16-17 years of age, who is not attending day school.

Form AT-22

• Newspaper Carrier Permit
  • Issued to a minor, 11-18 years of age, to engage in the occupation of delivery, or selling and delivering newspapers, shopping papers and periodicals to customers at their homes or places of business. 
• Child Model Work Permit
  • Issued to a minor, under 18 years of age, to engage in the occupation of a child model.
• Farm Work Permit
  • Issued to a minor, 14-15 years of age, to engage in the occupation of farm work.
• Farm Work Permit-Special
  • Issued to a minor, 12-13 years of age, to engage in the occupation of hand harvesting of berries, fruits and vegetables.
• Street Trades Permit
  • Issued to a minor, 14-18 years of age, to engage in the street trades occupation of selling newspapers, shopping papers and periodicals, or work as a bootblack.

Some employment does not require working papers.

• A minor, 14 years of age and over, may be employed as a caddy, babysitter or in casual employment consisting of yard work and household chores when not required to attend school. Employment certification for such employment is not mandatory.

NOTE: An employer of a minor in an occupation which does not require employment certification should request a Certificate of Age. 
 

2. Provide Proof of Age and Sign the Application in Person

A. You must show one of the following as proof of date of birth:

• Driver's License
• Passport
• Birth Certificate

We will accept a photocopy of any of these items. If you show the original, we will make a photocopy for our files. 

B. You must show your Social Security care, or a photocopy of it, as proof of your Social Security number.

C. You must supply proof of a physical examination within the previous 12 months.

We must keep this document. It does not have to be a detailed report.  A note from your physician (or from your school physician, if s/he is reporting on a physical for a school sport) will suffice. Often the physician writes this on a prescription form. If necessary, it may be faxed to (716) 753-5813 but the cover sheet must specify “Working Papers.”

OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS: A certificate of physical fitness issued in another state, to a minor seeking employment in New York State, may be accepted in lieu of the NYS certificate of physical fitness, provided the standards for issuing such certificates in the other state are deemed substantially equivalent to those of New York State in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Education.

D. A parent/guardian must sign the working papers application.

Ideally, this should be done in the presence of the staff person who assists you. If the parent/guardian is not available in person, arrangements may made to receive the application with the parent/guardian signature fax, (716) 753-5813.

E. The youth applicant must sign the working papers in the presence of the staff person who issues them. 

Students who are not enrolled at Chautauqua Lake Central School should enter the building at the main (center) entrance. Go to the Registrar's Office, immediately on the left as you enter.

Questions About Working Papers

What if I've gotten Working Papers at CLCS in the Past? 

If you received working papers at Chautauqua Lake Central School when you were age 14, and you need working papers again at age 15, or at age 16 and you need them again at age 17, your information should already be in our files. 

Only in these two instances, assuming the information is still in our files, you do not need to complete a new application. A parent/guardian does not need to sign a new application, but the youth applicant does need to sign the working papers in the presence of our staff member. 

We require proof of a physical examination within the previous 12 months, therefore you will have to have an updated physical. We must keep this document.

If for any reason your information is not in our files, you must re-apply.

If you received working papers at Chautauqua Lake Central School when you were age 14 or 15, and you need working papers again at age 16 or 17, you must re-apply. 

What if I still have questions about Working Papers?

• Students who are enrolled at CLCS during the school year should inquire about working papers in the Secondary School Guidance Office.  
• Students who attend other schools in New York State should inquire about working papers at their home schools.
• Students from other states -- or from other regions of New York State who did not secure working papers from their home schools -- and who plan to work in Chautauqua County, please call the Registrar’s Office, (716) 753-5910, or the Secondary School Office, (716) 753-5881.