Obtaining a Work Permit for a Minor

Minors Working in Departments Located in the District of Columbia
Work permits are obtained from the Work Permit and Child Labor Office of the District of Columbia Public Schools. This office is located at Union Square, 825 North Capitol Street, N.E., Room 6061, Washington, D.C. 20002. The closest Metro stop is Union Station. The telephone numbers are (202) 442-5108 and (202) 442-5110.

Under District of Columbia laws, minors who are 14 and 15 years old must present a copy of his or her birth certificate, Social Security number, and a statement (or Intention to Employ form which can be obtained from the minor's school) from the prospective employer that indicates the type of job the minor will hold and the number of work hours and the number of days per workweek. Written permission from the parent or guardian to work must also be presented.

Minors who are 16 and 17 years old must present a copy of his or her birth certificate, Social Security number, and a statement (or Intention to Employ form) from the prospective employer that indicates the type of job the minor will hold and the number of work hours and the number of days per workweek.

Minors Working in Departments Located in Virginia
The minor must bring all of the following information to his or her local school to obtain a work permit:

1. A completed Intention to Employ form. This form is completed by the prospective employer and states the type of work the minor will perform, the number of days per week, the number of hours per day, and the amount of time provided for lunch periods. This form can be obtained from the minor's school.
2. A completed Permission for Employment form. The parent completes this form. It is recommended that both the minor and his or her parent sign the form together at the school. If necessary, the parent may submit a notarized statement giving permission for the minor to work. This form can be obtained from the minor's school.
3. Evidence of his or her age, which can be provided via the following documents:
   1. Birth certificate
   2. Bible or baptismal record
   3. Insurance policy, at least one year old
   4. School record
   5. Other documentation, only if such documentation was secured by presenting one of the items in 1 through 4

Minors Working in Departments Located in Maryland
Work permits are issued by Issuing Officers in Maryland secondary schools.

A minor must obtain a work permit form from a local school, complete basic information, and sign the permit. Also, the minor's parent or guardian signs the permit. The work permit is then taken to the prospective employer who enters his or her name and address and describes the minor's duties. The prospective employer then signs the permit.

The minor then takes the work permit to the Issuing Officer who is required to verify the minor's date of birth. If the minor's date of birth is not on school records, then the minor must present proof of age. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, motor vehicle identification, passport, baptismal certificate or other government document that verifies the date of birth.