Form I-9 : Employment Eligibility Verification Instructions | USCIS
- June 2, 2024
- USCIS
Table of Contents
Employment Eligibility Verification
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Download : USCIS FORM I-9
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
Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization
-
U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
-
Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
-
Foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine readable immigrant visa
-
Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766)
-
For a nonimmigrant alien authorized to work for a specific employer because of his or her status:a. Foreign passport; andb. 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. -
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
LIST B
Documents that Establish Identity
- 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.
- Government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address.
- School ID card with a photograph
- Voter’s registration card
- U.S. Military card or draft record
- Military dependent’s ID card
- U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
- Native American tribal document
- Driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority For persons under age 18 who are unable to present a document listed above:
- School record or report card
- Clinic, doctor, or hospital record
- Day-care or nursery school record
LIST C
Documents that Establish Employment Authorization
-
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 -
Certification of report of birth issued by the Department of State (Forms DS-1350, FS-545, FS-240)
-
Original or certified copy of birth certificate issued by a State, county, municipal authority, orterritory of the United States bearing an official seal
-
Native American tribal document
-
U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
-
Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)
-
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.
FAQS
What documents can I use to establish identity?
You can use a Driver’s license or ID card issued by a State or outlying possession of the United States, government agency or entity ID with a photograph, School ID card with a photograph, Voter’s registration card, U.S. Military card or draft record, Military dependent’s ID card, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card, Native American tribal document, or a Driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority.
What documents can I use to establish both identity and employment authorization?
You can use a U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card, Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551), Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation, Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), or a combination of a foreign passport and Form I-94 or Form I-94A.
What documents can I use to establish employment authorization?
You can use a Social Security Account Number card (unless it has employment restrictions), a certification of report of birth issued by the Department of State, original or certified copy of birth certificate issued by a State, Native American tribal document, U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197), Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179), or an employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
Where can I find examples of these documents?
Examples of many of these documents appear in the Handbook for Employers (M-274).
What is Form I-9?****
Form I-9 is the Employment Eligibility Verification form used by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired in the United States.
Who needs to complete Form I-9?****
All employees (including citizens and non-citizens) hired after November 6, 1986, must complete Form I-9. Employers are responsible for ensuring its completion.
When should the I-9 form be completed?****
The employee must complete Section 1 of the form on or before their first day of employment. The employer must complete Section 2 within three business days of the employee’s start date.
Can photocopies of documents be presented during verification?****
No, employees must present original documents. The only exception is that an employee may present a certified copy of a birth certificate.
What should an employer do if an employee cannot provide the required documents immediately?****
The employee must produce the required document(s) within three business days of the date employment begins.
Can Form I-9 be completed electronically?****
Yes, Form I-9 can be completed, signed, and stored electronically, as long as the system used complies with the regulations provided by USCIS.
What is E-Verify?****
E-Verify is an electronic program where employers can check the employment eligibility of their employees against the information in the databases of the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
Where can employers and employees find the I-9 form and related instructions?****
Form I-9 and its instructions can be downloaded from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
Is a Social Security Number (SSN) required on Form I-9?****
An SSN is not required unless the employer participates in the E-Verify program.