Jan 17, 2024

Form I-9 Basics

Form I-9 helps employers verify employees' identities and employment authorization. Now only one page long, the new form looks to make instructions clearer and to provide guidance. The version date can be found in the lower left corner of the form. Read through to learn how to retain copies of I-9 documents.

Form I-9 has been modernized, allowing E-Verify employers to remotely examine I-9 documents. All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 for everyone hired — citizens and noncitizens alike.

On the form, employees attest to their employment authorization, presenting acceptable documents as evidence of identity and said authorization. Employers examine the documents to see that they are genuine and relate to the employee and then record the document information on Form I-9.

When employers remotely examine documentation, they've been authorized by a Department of Homeland Security alternative procedure, which you can indicate by checking the box provided.

Make sure employees have access to hard-copy or web versions of the form's instructions. Retain all completed forms to make them available for inspection by authorized government officers.

Answers can be typed directly onto the form, which may be generated, signed and retained electronically or printed and filled out manually.

Want to enroll in E-Verify? A few steps are needed to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires. Make sure you have everything you need before you begin by using the Quick Reference Guide. You can visit the E-Verify Contact Center webpage at https://www.e-verify.gov/contact-us.

Normal response time is two federal government workdays. E-Verify technical support is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

There's an employee self-service call center as well, which assists with E-Verify case status, using E-Verify, uploading documents, resetting passwords and getting technical support.

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