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Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of each new employee hired after November 6 1986; employers complete the form and employees complete Section 1.
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USCIS Form I-9 - Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of each new employee hired after November 6 1986; employers complete the form and employees complete Section 1.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not mail the completed Form I‑9 to USCIS or ICE.
- 2Employee back‑dates the signature or date on Section 1, which is prohibited.
- 3Employer asks the employee to provide specific documents to verify information entered in Section 1.
- 4Employer requests List B and List C documents when the employee has presented an acceptable List A document.
- 5Employer rejects acceptable documentation because it will expire in the future.
Plain English
Form I-9 records that a new worker can legally work in the United States. The employee fills out personal details and the employer checks identity and work‑authorization documents. Both sign, and the employer keeps the form on file.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Section 1 must be completed no later than the employee’s first day of work, and the employee must present the required documents within three business days after that first day.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when hiring a new employee after November 6 1986 (or after November 27 2011 in the CNMI) to document identity and employment authorization.
- Do not use it when the employee was hired before those dates.
- Check Form G-1055 instead when you need information about the filing fee for Form I-9.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
When you need to know the exact filing fee
Provides fee schedule for Form I‑9
✓ Verify the fee amount before completing the form
When verifying an employee’s admission number
Contains the admission number required for verification
✓ Do not request the number if not listed on the document
When confirming the employer’s electronic storage standards
Lists electronic signature and storage requirements
✓ Review standards before storing Form I‑9 electronically
Deadline or filing window
Section 1 must be completed by the employee on or before the first day of employment. The employee must provide acceptable documentation within three business days after that first day. No extension is provided; the deadlines are strict.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Section 1
Employee’s legal name, address, date of birth · Employee’s personal records
Section 2
Original acceptable List A or List B and C documents · Lists of Acceptable Documents (provided to employee)
Signature line in Section 1
Employee’s signature and date · Employee’s own signature
Preparer/translator certification (if used)
Preparer’s name, signature, date · Preparer’s information
Supplement B (Reverification)
Updated List A or List C document when authorization expires · New acceptable document
Before you submit
- 1Confirm employee completed Section 1 on the first day of employment
- 2Verify employee’s legal name, address, and date of birth are entered
- 3Provide the Lists of Acceptable Documents to the employee before they present docs
- 4Collect original, acceptable, unexpired documents by the third business day
- 5Enter document information correctly in Section 2 columns
- 6Ensure no prohibited documents (A‑Number, I‑94, foreign passport) were requested
- 7Obtain employee’s signature and date on Section 1 without back‑dating
- 8Obtain employer’s signature and date on Section 2
- 9Store the completed Form I‑9 securely and retain it according to policy
How to file this form
- 1Complete Section 1 with employee’s information on the first day of employment
- 2Provide the Lists of Acceptable Documents to the employee
- 3Within three business days, review employee’s original documents and fill out Section 2
- 4Sign and date both Section 1 and Section 2
- 5Securely retain the completed Form I‑9 as proof of filing
Known limitations
- 1Does not apply to employees hired before November 6 1986 (or before November 27 2011 in the CNMI)
- 2Not required to retain the pages containing the Lists of Acceptable Documents or the instruction booklet
- 3Form I‑9 cannot be mailed to USCIS or ICE; mailing is prohibited
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Section 1 (Employee)
5 items
Last name, first name, middle initial. Use legal name — not nickname.
MM/DD/YYYY format. Used for identity verification.
Required if employer uses E-Verify. Otherwise voluntary.
Check one: U.S. Citizen, Noncitizen National, Lawful Permanent Resident, or Alien authorized to work.
Employee must sign and date on first day of employment.
Section 2 (Employer)
6 items
List A document (proves both identity and work authorization) OR List B + List C documents.
Who issued the document (e.g., U.S. Department of State, USCIS).
Number as printed on the document.
Date document expires. Do not accept expired documents.
First day of work. Section 2 must be completed within 3 business days of start date.
Employer or authorized representative certifies documents were examined.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition of Form I-9 is dated 01/20/25 and expires on 05/31/2027; the source does not indicate any recent changes beyond the revision date.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows revision date 01/20/25 and expiration 05/31/2027
- Fee — see Form G-1055 for fee details; amount not stated in the source
- Mailing address — Not applicable; do not mail Form I‑9 to the USCIS address listed
- Signature — confirm employee signs and dates Section 1 without back‑dating; employer must also sign Section 2
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain the completed Form I‑9 in a secure location for the required retention period
- 2Do not store the Lists of Acceptable Documents or instructions with the form
- 3Expect no confirmation mailing because the form is not submitted to USCIS
- 4If an error is discovered, correct it by completing a new Form I‑9 and marking the error on the original
- 5Periodically review electronic storage compliance if the form is stored digitally
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — revision date 01/20/25 and expiration 05/31/2027
- SRCInstructions p.1 — form documents identity and employment authorization of new employees hired after November 6 1986 (CNMI after November 27 2011)
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Section 2 must be completed within three business days after first day of employment; for hires under three days, complete no later than first day
- SRCInstructions p.2 — do not mail completed forms to USCIS or ICE
- SRCInstructions p.3 — employee must sign and date Section 1 without back‑dating
- SRCInstructions p.3 — employee must present original acceptable documents within three business days
- SRCInstructions p.4 — if employee presents List A, do not request List B or C; if List B and C presented, do not request List A
- SRCInstructions p.1 — employers must allow employee to choose documentation; cannot ask for specific documents
- SRCInstructions p.1 — filing fee information is on Form G-1055
- SRCInstructions p.2 — retain completed forms but not the pages containing the Lists of Acceptable Documents or instructions
Common confusion points
Can I ask the employee which documents to present?
Employers sometimes think they can direct document choice, but the law prohibits it.
→ Verify that you allow the employee to choose any acceptable document from the list.
Do I need to keep the Lists of Acceptable Documents with the form?
Some think all paperwork must be retained, but the source says it’s not required.
→ Confirm that only the completed Form I‑9 is retained.
When must Section 2 be completed for a three‑day hire?
The rule changes for hires under three days, causing confusion.
→ Ensure Section 2 is completed on the first day for hires under three business days.
Am I allowed to request the employee’s A‑Number or I‑94?
Employers may mistakenly request these prohibited items.
→ Check that you have not asked for USCIS Number, Form I‑94, or foreign passport number.
Do I need to mail the Form I‑9 to USCIS?
The address is listed on the form, leading to the assumption it should be mailed.
→ Verify that the form must not be mailed to USCIS or ICE.
What if the employee’s documents expire soon?
Employers think they must reject soon‑to‑expire docs, but the source says not to reject due to future expiration.
→ Confirm you accept documents even if they will expire after the hire date.
Workflow map
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Questions about USCIS Form I-9
What is USCIS Form I-9 used for?
Form I-9 records that a new worker can legally work in the United States. The employee fills out personal details and the employer checks identity and work‑authorization documents. Both sign, and the employer keeps the form on file.
Who must file USCIS Form I-9?
Employers must complete Form I-9 for every new employee, and each employee must fill out Section 1.
What information does USCIS Form I-9 require?
The form collects the employee’s legal name, address, date of birth, and details from the identity and employment‑authorization documents they present.
When is USCIS Form I-9 due?
Section 1 must be completed no later than the employee’s first day of work, and the employee must present the required documents within three business days after that first day.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-9?
Completed Form I-9 is not mailed to USCIS or ICE; it is retained by the employer.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-9?
The employee completes Section 1, signs and dates it on or before the first day of employment. Within three business days the employee presents original, acceptable documentation. The employer then completes Section 2, records the document information, and signs. The employer must not ask for specific documents or reject acceptable ones because of a future expiration date, and must retain the form.
What happens if USCIS Form I-9 is filed incorrectly?
Employers are liable for any statutory or regulatory violations related to Form I-9, including discrimination or improper document requests.
Can I ask the employee which documents to present?
Employers sometimes think they can direct document choice, but the law prohibits it. Verify that you allow the employee to choose any acceptable document from the list.
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