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The USCIS I-9 form is a crucial document in the employment verification process for individuals in the United States. Designed to ensure that employers are hiring individuals who are legally authorized to work, the form plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity of the workforce. When completing the I-9, both employers and employees must provide specific information, including personal details, employment eligibility, and proof of identity. The process involves two main sections: one filled out by the employee and the other by the employer. Additionally, the form requires the submission of supporting documents that confirm the employee's identity and work authorization status. Employers are responsible for retaining the I-9 form for a designated period, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Understanding the nuances of the I-9 form is essential for both employers and employees to navigate the complexities of employment eligibility in the U.S. workforce.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the USCIS I-9 form, it's important to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here are some essential dos and don'ts:

  • Do provide accurate personal information, including your full name and address.
  • Do use black or blue ink to fill out the form.
  • Do complete the form within three days of starting your job.
  • Do present valid documents that establish your identity and employment authorization.
  • Do sign and date the form to certify that the information is true.
  • Don't leave any required fields blank; all sections must be filled out.
  • Don't use white-out or correction fluid on the form.
  • Don't provide false information or use someone else's documents.
  • Don't forget to keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

Document Attributes

Fact Name Description
Purpose of the I-9 Form The I-9 form is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
Who Must Complete the Form All employers must ensure that their employees complete the I-9 form, regardless of citizenship status.
Completion Timeline Employees must complete Section 1 of the I-9 form no later than their first day of employment, while employers must complete Section 2 within three business days of the employee's start date.
Document Requirements Employees must present valid documents that establish both identity and employment authorization. These documents are categorized into three lists: List A, List B, and List C.
Retention Period Employers are required to retain completed I-9 forms for three years after the date of hire or for one year after the employee's termination, whichever is longer.
Penalties for Non-Compliance Employers may face fines and penalties for failing to properly complete, retain, or present I-9 forms during an audit by immigration authorities.
State-Specific Forms Some states have their own requirements for employment verification. For instance, California has additional regulations under the California Labor Code.
Electronic I-9 Forms Employers may use electronic systems to complete and store I-9 forms, provided they comply with federal regulations regarding electronic signatures and storage.
Updates to the Form The I-9 form is subject to updates. Employers must ensure they are using the most current version, which is available on the USCIS website.
Language Accessibility The I-9 form is available in multiple languages to assist non-English speaking employees in understanding the requirements.

Key takeaways

Filling out and using the USCIS I-9 form is essential for employers and employees in the United States. Here are key takeaways to consider:

  • The I-9 form verifies an employee's identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
  • Employers must complete the I-9 form for each new hire, regardless of their citizenship status.
  • Section 1 of the form must be filled out by the employee on or before their first day of work.
  • Employers must complete Section 2 within three business days of the employee's start date.
  • Acceptable documents for verification include a U.S. passport, a driver's license, or a green card.
  • Employers should retain completed I-9 forms for three years after the hire date or one year after the employee's termination, whichever is longer.
  • Failure to properly complete and retain I-9 forms can result in penalties for employers.
  • The form can be completed electronically or on paper, but all information must be accurate and legible.
  • Regular audits of I-9 forms can help ensure compliance and reduce the risk of errors.

Example - USCIS I-9 Form

Employment Eligibility Verification

USCIS

Department of Homeland Security

Form I-9

OMB No. 1615-0047

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Expires 10/31/2022

START HERE: Read instructions carefully before completing this form. The instructions must be available, either in paper or electronically, during completion of this form. Employers are liable for errors in the completion of this form.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE: It is illegal to discriminate against work-authorized individuals. Employers CANNOT specify which document(s) an employee may present to establish employment authorization and identity. The refusal to hire or continue to employ an individual because the documentation presented has a future expiration date may also constitute illegal discrimination.

Section 1. Employee Information and Attestation (Employees must complete and sign Section 1 of Form I-9 no later than the first day of employment, but not before accepting a job offer.)

Last Name (Family Name)

First Name (Given Name)

Middle Initial

Other Last Names Used (if any)

 

 

Address (Street Number and Name)

Apt. Number

City or Town

 

 

State

ZIP Code

 

 

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

U.S. Social Security Number

 

Employee's E-mail Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee's Telephone Number

I am aware that federal law provides for imprisonment and/or fines for false statements or use of false documents in connection with the completion of this form.

I attest, under penalty of perjury, that I am (check one of the following boxes):

1.

A citizen of the United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

A noncitizen national of the United States (See instructions)

 

 

 

 

 

3.

A lawful permanent resident

(Alien Registration Number/USCIS Number):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

An alien authorized to work

until (expiration date, if applicable, mm/dd/yyyy):

Some aliens may write "N/A" in the expiration date field. (See instructions)

Aliens authorized to work must provide only one of the following document numbers to complete Form I-9:

An Alien Registration Number/USCIS Number OR Form I-94 Admission Number OR Foreign Passport Number.

1.Alien Registration Number/USCIS Number:

OR

2.Form I-94 Admission Number:

OR

3.Foreign Passport Number: Country of Issuance:

QR Code - Section 1

Do Not Write In This Space

Signature of Employee

Today's Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

Preparer and/or Translator Certification (check one):

I did not use a preparer or translator.

 

A preparer(s) and/or translator(s) assisted the employee in completing Section 1.

(Fields below must be completed and signed when preparers and/or translators assist an employee in completing Section 1.)

I attest, under penalty of perjury, that I have assisted in the completion of Section 1 of this form and that to the best of my knowledge the information is true and correct.

Signature of Preparer or Translator

 

 

Today's Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Name (Family Name)

 

First Name (Given Name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address (Street Number and Name)

City or Town

 

State

ZIP Code

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer Completes Next Page

Form I-9 10/21/2019

PagePage1 ofof4

Employment Eligibility Verification

USCIS

Department of Homeland Security

Form I-9

OMB No. 1615-0047

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Expires 10/31/2022

Section 2. Employer or Authorized Representative Review and Verification

(Employers or their authorized representative must complete and sign Section 2 within 3 business days of the employee's first day of employment. You must physically examine one document from List A OR a combination of one document from List B and one document from List C as listed on the "Lists of Acceptable Documents.")

Employee Info from Section 1

Last Name (Family Name)

First Name (Given Name)

M.I.

Citizenship/Immigration Status

List A

OR

 

List B

AND

List C

Identity and Employment Authorization

 

 

 

 

 

Identity

 

 

 

 

Employment Authorization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Title

 

 

 

 

Document Title

 

 

Document Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuing Authority

 

 

 

 

Issuing Authority

 

 

Issuing Authority

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Number

 

 

 

 

Document Number

 

 

Document Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expiration Date (if any) (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

Expiration Date (if any) (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

Expiration Date (if any) (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuing Authority

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

 

 

 

 

 

QR Code - Sections 2 & 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do Not Write In This Space

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expiration Date (if any) (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuing Authority

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expiration Date (if any) (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certification: I attest, under penalty of perjury, that (1) I have examined the document(s) presented by the above-named employee,

(2)the above-listed document(s) appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee named, and (3) to the best of my knowledge the employee is authorized to work in the United States.

The employee's first day of employment (mm/dd/yyyy):

 

(See instructions for exemptions)

 

 

 

Signature of Employer or Authorized Representative

Today's Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

Title of Employer or Authorized Representative

Last Name of Employer or Authorized Representative

First Name of Employer or Authorized Representative

 

 

Employer's Business or Organization Name

Employer's Business or Organization Address (Street Number and Name) City or Town

State

ZIP Code

Form I-9 10/21/2019

PagePage2 ofof4

Employment Eligibility Verification

USCIS

Department of Homeland Security

Form I-9

OMB No. 1615-0047

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Expires 10/31/2022

Employee Name from Section 1:

Last Name (Family Name)

First Name (Given Name)

Middle Initial

Section 3. Reverification and Rehires (To be completed and signed by employer or authorized representative.)

A. New Name (if applicable)

 

 

B. Date of Rehire (if applicable)

Last Name (Family Name)

First Name (Given Name)

Middle Initial

Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

C. If the employee's previous grant of employment authorization has expired, provide the information for the document or receipt that establishes continuing employment authorization in the space provided below.

Document Title

Document Number

Expiration Date (if any) (mm/dd/yyyy)

I attest, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of my knowledge, this employee is authorized to work in the United States, and if the employee presented document(s), the document(s) I have examined appear to be genuine and to relate to the individual.

Signature of Employer or Authorized Representative

Today's Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

Name of Employer or Authorized Representative

 

 

 

Form I-9 10/21/2019

PagePage3 ofof4

LISTS OF ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS

All documents must be UNEXPIRED

Employees may present one selection from List A

or a combination of one selection from List B and one selection from List C.

LIST A

LIST B

LIST C

Documents that Establish

Documents that Establish

Documents that Establish

Both Identity and

Identity

Employment Authorization

Employment Authorization

OR

AND

1.U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card

2.Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)

3.Foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine- readable immigrant visa

4.Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766)

5.For a nonimmigrant alien authorized to work for a specific employer because of his or her status:

a.Foreign passport; and

b.Form I-94 or Form I-94A that has the following:

(1)The same name as the passport; and

(2)An endorsement of the alien's nonimmigrant status as long as that period of endorsement has not yet expired and the proposed employment is not in conflict with any restrictions or limitations identified on the form.

6.Passport from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) or the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) with Form I-94 or Form I-94A indicating nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free Association Between the United States and the FSM or RMI

1.Driver's license or ID card issued by a State or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address

2.ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address

3.School ID card with a photograph

4.Voter's registration card

5.U.S. Military card or draft record

6.Military dependent's ID card

7.U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card

8.Native American tribal document

9.Driver's license issued by a Canadian government authority

For persons under age 18 who are

unable to present a document

listed above:

10.School record or report card

11.Clinic, doctor, or hospital record

12.Day-care or nursery school record

1.A Social Security Account Number card, unless the card includes one of the following restrictions:

(1)NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT

(2)VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION

(3)VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION

2.Certification of report of birth issued by the Department of State (Forms DS-1350, FS-545, FS-240)

3.Original or certified copy of birth certificate issued by a State, county, municipal authority, or territory of the United States bearing an official seal

4.Native American tribal document

5.U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)

6.Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)

7.Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security

Examples of many of these documents appear in the Handbook for Employers (M-274).

Refer to the instructions for more information about acceptable receipts.

Form I-9 10/21/2019

Page 4 of 4

Detailed Instructions for Writing USCIS I-9

Completing the USCIS I-9 form is an essential step for employers and employees in the United States. After filling out the form, it will need to be submitted as part of the hiring process. Below are the steps to ensure accurate completion of the I-9 form.

  1. Obtain the latest version of the I-9 form from the USCIS website or your employer.
  2. Fill out Section 1 of the form. This section requires personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Be sure to check the appropriate box indicating your citizenship status.
  3. Sign and date Section 1. This confirms that the information you provided is true and accurate.
  4. Move to Section 2. This section must be completed by your employer. They will need to review your identification documents.
  5. Present valid identification documents to your employer. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, a driver's license, or a green card. Ensure that the documents are original and not expired.
  6. Your employer will fill out the details in Section 2, including the document title, issuing authority, document number, and expiration date, if applicable.
  7. Once Section 2 is complete, both you and your employer should retain copies of the I-9 form as required by law.
  8. Keep the form updated if your employment status changes or if you receive new identification documents.

Documents used along the form

The USCIS I-9 form is essential for verifying the employment eligibility of individuals in the United States. However, there are several other forms and documents that are often used in conjunction with the I-9 to ensure compliance with immigration laws and to streamline the hiring process. Below is a list of these important documents, each serving a unique purpose.

  • W-4 Form: This form is used by employees to indicate their tax situation to their employer. It helps determine the amount of federal income tax to withhold from an employee's paycheck.
  • Asurion F-017-08 MEN Form: This form is vital for managing claims and warranty services related to electronic devices, and can help users streamline their processes. For more information on how to access these templates, visit Fast PDF Templates.
  • Form 1040: The individual income tax return form that U.S. citizens and residents must file annually. It provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's earnings and tax obligations.
  • Form I-765: This application for employment authorization allows certain non-citizens to request the right to work in the United States. It is often used by those in temporary or pending immigration statuses.
  • Form I-131: Known as the application for a travel document, this form is used by individuals to apply for re-entry permits, refugee travel documents, or advance parole.
  • Form I-485: This is the application to register permanent residence or adjust status. It is crucial for individuals looking to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S.
  • Form I-20: Issued by schools, this document certifies that a student has been accepted into a program and is eligible for an F-1 or M-1 visa. It is essential for international students.
  • Employment Verification Letter: This letter from an employer confirms an individual's employment status, job title, and duration of employment. It may be required for various applications.
  • Passport: A valid passport serves as proof of identity and citizenship. It is often required for various immigration processes and employment verification.
  • Social Security Card: This card provides a unique number assigned to individuals for tracking earnings and benefits. Employers may request it to verify eligibility for work.

Understanding these forms and documents can help both employers and employees navigate the complexities of employment eligibility and immigration compliance. Each document plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth hiring process and maintaining legal standards in the workplace.