To complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) form, employees must provide documentation proving their identity and authorization to work in the United States. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or a combination of a state-issued driver's license and Social Security card. Employers must review and retain these documents to comply with federal regulations and avoid penalties.
What Documents are Needed for Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E-Verify Photo Match | Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) requires documents such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to establish identity and employment authorization. E-Verify Photo Match enhances this process by electronically comparing the photo on these documents to a government database, ensuring accurate identity verification and reducing the risk of document fraud. |
| 2 | List C Remote Document | List C documents for Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) include documents that establish an employee's authorization to work in the U.S. without providing proof of identity, such as a Social Security card, a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or outlying possession of the United States, or a Native American tribal document. Employers can accept these remote documents when completing the I-9 form through authorized electronic systems that comply with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines for remote verification. |
| 3 | Auto-Extension Receipt | The Auto-Extension Receipt temporarily validates employment authorization for individuals with certain expired Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) while their renewal applications are pending with USCIS. Employers must accept the Auto-Extension Receipt as a valid List A document, ensuring compliance with the I-9 verification process during the automatic extension period. |
| 4 | REAL ID Compliance | Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) requires documents that establish identity and work authorization, with the REAL ID serving as a compliant identity document verification. Acceptable documents include a valid REAL ID driver's license or state-issued identification card alongside proof of employment eligibility such as a Social Security card or birth certificate. |
| 5 | Form I-94 Automation | Form I-94 Automation enables employers to electronically access verification of an employee's admission status and arrival/departure record, streamlining the employment eligibility verification process outlined in Form I-9. This system complements traditional documents like a U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card by providing real-time, government-verified data critical for compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements. |
| 6 | List B Identity Verification | List B documents for Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) focus on establishing identity without proving employment authorization; acceptable documents include a state driver's license, state identification card, or a U.S. federal, state, or local government ID card containing a photograph or identifying information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address. These documents must be unexpired and valid to meet the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements for List B identity verification. |
| 7 | Permanent Resident Card Redesign | The redesigned Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) must be presented for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) as it serves as proof of both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the card is unexpired and contains the updated security features introduced in the redesign to verify authenticity and prevent fraud. |
| 8 | Acceptable Alternative Documents | Acceptable alternative documents for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) include a U.S. passport or passport card, a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), a driver's license with a Social Security card, or a birth certificate accompanied by a government-issued photo ID. Employers must ensure these documents establish both identity and employment authorization to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements. |
| 9 | Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Documents | For Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9), individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) typically present an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), which serves as proof of both identity and employment authorization. This document is listed under List A of acceptable documents, fully satisfying the I-9 requirements without the need for additional paperwork. |
| 10 | Digital I-9 Transformation | Digital I-9 transformation streamlines employment eligibility verification by enabling electronic submission and storage of documents such as passports, driver's licenses, and Social Security cards, ensuring compliance with USCIS regulations. Implementing secure, cloud-based platforms enhances accuracy, reduces errors, and facilitates real-time auditing for authorized documents during the hiring process. |
Introduction to I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification
The Employment Eligibility Verification form, commonly known as the I-9, is a mandatory document used by employers in the United States to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment. The I-9 process ensures compliance with federal immigration laws by requiring employees to present specific documents that establish their eligibility to work. Understanding which documents are acceptable for completion of the I-9 form is essential for both employers and employees to avoid penalties and maintain lawful hiring practices.
Understanding the Purpose of I-9 Authorization
The Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) requires specific documents to confirm identity and authorization to work in the United States. Acceptable documents fall into three categories: List A (documents that establish both identity and employment authorization), List B (documents that establish identity only), and List C (documents that establish employment authorization only). Understanding the purpose of I-9 authorization is essential for compliance and helps ensure that employers verify that each employee is legally eligible to work.
Overview of Acceptable I-9 Documents
The Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 requires specific documentation to confirm an employee's identity and employment authorization in the United States. Acceptable documents are categorized into List A, List B, and List C, each serving a distinct verification purpose.
List A documents establish both identity and employment authorization, examples include a U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card. List B documents prove identity only, such as a driver's license or state ID card with a photo. List C documents demonstrate employment authorization exclusively, like a Social Security card or birth certificate.
List A Documents: Identity and Work Authorization
Employment Eligibility Verification requires specific documents to confirm identity and work authorization. List A documents fulfill both requirements in one item.
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card - Establishes both identity and employment authorization for U.S. citizens.
- Permanent Resident Card - Also known as a Green Card, it verifies lawful permanent residence and authorization to work.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) - Issued by USCIS, this card provides proof of temporary employment eligibility and identity.
List B Documents: Proof of Identity Only
Employment Eligibility Verification requires specific documents to confirm identity and work authorization. List B documents serve as proof of identity only and do not establish employment authorization.
- State-issued Driver's License - Displays a photograph, name, and date of birth to verify identity.
- U.S. Passport Card - Provides a government-issued photo ID for identification purposes.
- School ID with Photograph - Confirms identity through a recognized educational institution's issued identification card.
Your employer must accept one List B document along with a List C document to complete the I-9 verification process.
List C Documents: Proof of Employment Authorization
| Document Title | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| List C Documents: Proof of Employment Authorization | Documents in List C confirm your legal authorization to work in the United States. These documents establish that no employment restrictions apply to you. |
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Document Retention and Storage Requirements
Employers must retain Form I-9 for each employee to verify employment eligibility as required by U.S. law. The form must be stored securely to protect sensitive employee information from unauthorized access.
Retention requirements include keeping the I-9 form for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. Proper storage methods include locked cabinets or secure electronic systems compliant with data protection standards.
Guidelines for Document Verification and Inspection
What documents are needed for Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)? Employers must examine original documents from List A or a combination of List B and List C to verify identity and employment authorization. Guidelines mandate that documents appear genuine and relate to the employee presenting them to ensure valid verification.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) requires employees to provide specific documents proving their identity and employment authorization. Commonly accepted documents include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or a combination of a driver's license and social security card.
Common errors involve submitting expired documents, incomplete forms, and mismatched names between documents and the I-9 form. Employers can avoid these mistakes by carefully reviewing document validity and ensuring all fields on the form are accurately completed before submission.
What Documents are Needed for Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)? Infographic
