What Is Form I-9?

Abstract

Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) is a United States federal form. For U.S. employers hiring individuals to work in the U.S., it is used to verify each hire is authorized to work in the U.S.

U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. These individuals can be new hires, existing hires, or rehires, and can be seasonal or permanent.

The information in Form I-9 is integral for the verification of the employment eligibility and identity of each hire.

All U.S. employers hiring individuals for work in the U.S:

• Must have each hire complete a Form I-9.

• Are not permitted to contract for the labor of an individual who is known to be unauthorized for employment in the U.S.

Form I-9 works in conjunction with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which controls illegal immigration by prohibiting the hiring or continued employment of persons not authorized to work in the United States.

• Employees hired after November 6, 1986 ARE REQUIRED to have a Form I-9 on file.

• Employees hired before November 7, 1986 who have been continuously employed by the same employer ARE NOT REQUIRED to have a Form 1-9 on file.

• Employees in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) hired after November 27, 2011 ARE REQUIRED to have a Form I-9 on file. Note: Between November 28, 2009 and November 27, 2011, Form I-9 CNMI was required.

Employers who choose to utilize E-Verify will submit a Form I-9 for each hire. The information is compared to data in U.S. government records in order to confirm work authorization.

For more information on Form I-9, refer to the following:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

• I-9 Central

• Download Form I-9