Job Resources
Getting Your Working Papers
School officials issue all working papers, except for child performer permits.
- If you are in school, go to your guidance office and ask for a working papers application. If you are not in school, go to the nearest school by where you live because they are required to give you the application.
- In the city of Buffalo, charter and private school students should apply at City Hall, 65 Niagara Square. You can call 716-816-3593.
- In New York City, all young people in and out of school, must apply at a local public high school office. If you don’t know what high school to go to, you can get instructions on where to apply from the New York City Department of Education’s District Family Advocates or call 718-935-2000.
- During school vacation periods, these offices stay open part-time to issue working papers.
- Fill out the application and have your parent or guardian sign the application.
- When you have filled out the working papers application and had your parent or guardian sign it, you have to take it back to the school’s guidance office.
- If you have dropped out of school, to get a full-time employment certificate, your parent or guardian must come with you to give consent in person at the issuing office.
- If you are 16 years old, have dropped out of school, and live in New York City or Buffalo, you also must have an employer who wants to hire you and will sign a pledge of employment on your application form.
- Your employer must keep Student Non-Factory, Student General, Full-Time, and Limited Employment Certificates on file at the place where you work, as long as you keep the job.
- You must keep your Farm Work Permits, Model Permits, Newspaper Carrier Permits, and Street Trade Permits in your possession at all times.
*This information is taken directly from The New York State Department of Labor
June 2021
