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Homepage Fill Out a Valid USCIS I-9 Template

Guide to Writing USCIS I-9

Completing the USCIS I-9 form is an essential step for employers and employees to ensure compliance with immigration laws. The form requires specific information about the employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Follow these steps to accurately fill out the form.

  1. Obtain the latest version of the USCIS I-9 form from the official USCIS website.
  2. Complete Section 1 of the form. This section must be filled out by the employee on or before their first day of work. Provide the following information:
    • Full name
    • Address
    • Date of birth
    • Social Security number (if applicable)
    • Citizenship or immigration status
  3. Sign and date Section 1 to certify that the information provided is true and correct.
  4. Move to Section 2, which must be completed by the employer. Verify the employee's identity and eligibility to work by examining original documents. Acceptable documents include:
    • U.S. passport
    • Permanent resident card
    • Driver's license and Social Security card
  5. Document the details of the documents presented by the employee in Section 2, including:
    • Document title
    • Issuing authority
    • Document number
    • Expiration date (if applicable)
  6. Sign and date Section 2 to confirm that the documents were reviewed and are valid.
  7. Retain the completed I-9 form in your records for at least three years after the employee's hire date or one year after their termination, whichever is later.

Document Breakdown

Fact Name Description
Purpose The I-9 form is used to verify an employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
Who Must Complete All employers must have new hires complete the I-9 form within three days of starting work.
Documents Required Employees must provide acceptable documents that establish both identity and employment authorization.
Retention Period Employers must keep the I-9 form for three years after the date of hire or one year after the employee's termination, whichever is longer.
Penalties for Non-Compliance Employers can face fines for failing to complete or retain I-9 forms properly, with penalties varying based on the violation.
State-Specific Forms Some states may require additional forms. For example, California has the AB 450 law, requiring employers to provide notice to employees of immigration enforcement actions.
Electronic I-9 Employers can choose to complete the I-9 form electronically, but they must comply with specific security and record-keeping requirements.

FAQ

What is the USCIS I-9 form?

The USCIS I-9 form, officially known as the Employment Eligibility Verification form, is a document that employers in the United States must complete for each employee they hire. Its primary purpose is to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals who are eligible to work in the U.S. Both employers and employees have responsibilities when filling out this form, which helps ensure compliance with immigration laws.

Who needs to fill out the I-9 form?

Every employer must complete the I-9 form for each employee they hire, regardless of the employee's citizenship status. This includes full-time, part-time, and temporary workers. Employees must also fill out their section of the form, providing information about their identity and work authorization.

What documents are required for the I-9 form?

Employees must provide documentation that proves both their identity and their eligibility to work in the U.S. The I-9 form has three lists of acceptable documents:

  1. List A: Documents that prove both identity and employment authorization, such as a U.S. passport or a Permanent Resident Card.
  2. List B: Documents that prove identity only, such as a driver’s license or state ID card.
  3. List C: Documents that prove employment authorization only, such as a Social Security card or birth certificate.

Employees must present either one document from List A or one document from List B and one from List C.

When should the I-9 form be completed?

The I-9 form should be completed as soon as possible after an employee is hired. Specifically, it must be filled out within three days of the employee's start date. This timeline ensures that employers are compliant with federal regulations regarding employment verification.

What happens if the I-9 form is not completed correctly?

If the I-9 form is not completed correctly, employers may face penalties. These can include fines and potential legal issues, especially if the employer is found to be knowingly hiring unauthorized workers. It's essential to ensure that all sections of the form are filled out accurately and that the appropriate documents are reviewed.

How long should employers keep the I-9 form?

Employers must retain the I-9 form for a specific period. The form should be kept for three years after the date of hire or for one year after the employee's termination, whichever is longer. This retention policy allows for compliance with audits and inspections by immigration officials.

Can an employee be denied a job for not providing the I-9 documentation?

Yes, if an employee fails to provide the necessary documentation for the I-9 form, the employer cannot legally hire them. Employers are required to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S., and without the proper documentation, the employer cannot complete the I-9 process.

Where can I find the I-9 form?

The I-9 form is available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. You can download the form and instructions for free. It's important to use the most current version of the form to ensure compliance with the latest regulations.

USCIS I-9 Example

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