The Form I-9, issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is used by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers must make sure the proper completion of Form I-9 for each individual they hire, including both citizens and noncitizens.

uscis.gov

Key Sections:

1. Section 1: Employee Information and Attestation

   • To be completed by the employee no later than the first day of employment.

   • Requires personal information such as full name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.

   • The employee must attest to their citizenship or immigration status and sign the form.

2. Section 2: Employer Review and Verification

   • To be completed by the employer within three business days of the employee's first day of employment.

   • The employer must examine original documents presented by the employee to establish identity and employment authorization.

   • Acceptable documents are categorized into:

     • List A: Documents that establish both identity and employment authorization (e.g., U.S. Passport).

     • List B: Documents that establish identity (e.g., driver's license).

     • List C: Documents that establish employment authorization (e.g., Social Security card).

   • The employer records the document information and certifies the employee's eligibility to work.

3. Section 3: Reverification and Rehire

   • Used for re-verifying employment authorization for employees whose work authorization has expired or for rehiring employees within three years of the original Form I-9 completion.

Important Considerations:

• Retention: Employers must retain Form I-9 for each employee for either three years after the date of hire or one year after employment is terminated, whichever is later.

• Anti-Discrimination Notice: Employers must allow employees to choose which acceptable documents to present and cannot specify which documents they must provide. Treating individuals differently based on their citizenship status or national origin may violate anti-discrimination laws.

• Penalties: Failure to comply with Form I-9 requirements can result in civil fines and, in some cases, criminal penalties.

For detailed instructions on completing Form I-9, refer to the official USCIS instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9instr.pdf

Employers and employees can access the latest version of Form I-9 directly here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9.pdf

For additional resources and guidance, visit the USCIS I-9 Central page: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central

Ensuring the accurate and timely completion of Form I-9 is essential for maintaining compliance with U.S. employment laws.

🔗 Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification