School districts in New York State must continue to issue employment certificates to qualified applicants during the COVID-19 school closures. An employment certificate, often referred to as "working papers," is required for minors under 18 before they may begin work. 

Working papers will be issued at Chautauqua Lake Central School District during the COVID-19 school closures, by appointment only 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call (716) 753-5808 if you need to schedule an appointment.

Please have the application forms filled out as much as possible to limit the amount of time required for your appointment as much as possible. 

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 that 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.”

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.