Employees must provide valid documentation to complete the I-9 verification process, including one document from List A or a combination of one document from List B and one from List C. Common List A documents include a U.S. passport or permanent resident card, while List B often includes a driver's license, and List C includes a Social Security card or birth certificate. Properly presenting these documents ensures compliance with employment eligibility verification requirements.
What Documents Does an Employee Need for I-9 Verification?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E-Verify Photo Matching | Employees must present valid documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents, such as a U.S. passport or a Permanent Resident Card, to complete I-9 verification for E-Verify photo matching, ensuring identity and employment authorization. The E-Verify system compares the photo on these documents with government records to confirm authenticity and prevent unauthorized employment. |
| 2 | List A Document Upload | For I-9 verification, employees must upload a List A document that establishes both identity and employment authorization, such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), or Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766). These documents ensure compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements for legal employment eligibility. |
| 3 | Remote I-9 Completion | For remote I-9 completion, employees must provide unexpired original documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents, such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or driver's license combined with a Social Security card, to verify identity and employment authorization. Employers should implement secure procedures to inspect these documents remotely, often using video conferencing and physical document presentation to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines. |
| 4 | Smart I-9 Form Automation | Employees must provide valid documentation from the List of Acceptable Documents, such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or driver's license combined with a Social Security card, to complete I-9 verification. Smart I-9 form automation streamlines this process by securely capturing and validating these documents electronically, reducing errors and ensuring compliance with USCIS regulations. |
| 5 | I-9 Reverification Trigger | Employees must present valid original documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents for I-9 verification, such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or Driver's license combined with a Social Security card. I-9 reverification is triggered when an employee's employment authorization or work authorization document expires, requiring updated proof of continuing eligibility to work in the United States. |
| 6 | Acceptable Receipt Rule | Employees must present either one document from List A or a combination of one document from List B and one from List C to complete the I-9 verification, following the Acceptable Receipt Rule allows a receipt for a lost, stolen, or damaged document to be temporarily accepted if it relates to an item on the Lists. The receipt must be presented alongside the replacement document within the allowable timeframe to satisfy Employment Eligibility Verification requirements. |
| 7 | Blockchain Credentialing | Employees must present valid documents that establish both identity and employment authorization for I-9 verification, such as a U.S. passport or a permanent resident card, with blockchain credentialing enhancing the security and verifiability of these documents by providing tamper-proof digital identities. Blockchain credentialing enables employers to efficiently authenticate and store employee documentation, reducing fraud risks and streamlining compliance with federal I-9 regulations. |
| 8 | Digital Identity Wallet | Employees need acceptable documents from List A or a combination of List B and List C for I-9 verification, with a Digital Identity Wallet streamlining the process by securely storing and presenting these credentials electronically. This innovation enhances verification accuracy and reduces the risk of document fraud during employment authorization. |
| 9 | I-9 Section 2 Remote Inspection | Employees must present acceptable identity and employment authorization documents listed on the Form I-9 List of Acceptable Documents during Section 2 Remote Inspection to verify eligibility for employment. Employers are required to inspect these original documents remotely via video, fax, or email before completing Section 2 of Form I-9 to comply with remote work verification policies. |
| 10 | Document Anti-Tampering Audit | Employees must present original documents from the List of Acceptable Documents for I-9 verification, such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or driver's license with social security card, ensuring they are unaltered and genuine to pass the Document Anti-Tampering Audit. Employers are required to carefully examine each document for inconsistencies, signs of tampering, or forgery to maintain compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations. |
Introduction to I-9 Verification Documents
What documents does an employee need for I-9 verification? Employees must present specific documents that establish their identity and employment authorization. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a list of acceptable documents categorized into List A, List B, and List C for this purpose.
Legal Requirements for Employee Authorization
Employees must provide specific documents to verify their identity and employment authorization as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Form I-9 verification. These documents ensure compliance with federal laws to confirm the employee's eligibility to work in the United States.
- List A Documents - Establish both identity and employment authorization, such as a U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card.
- List B Documents - Establish identity only, examples include a state-issued driver's license or ID card.
- List C Documents - Establish employment authorization only, like a Social Security card or birth certificate.
Acceptable List A, B, and C Documents
Employees must present valid documentation to complete the I-9 form, proving their identity and employment authorization. Acceptable documents are divided into three categories: List A, List B, and List C. List A documents establish both identity and employment authorization, List B documents establish identity only, and List C documents confirm employment authorization only.
Completing Form I-9: Step-by-Step Process
Completing Form I-9 is essential for verifying an employee's eligibility to work in the United States. You must review original documentation that establishes both identity and employment authorization.
Acceptable documents fall into three categories: List A, or a combination of one document from List B and one from List C. Common examples include a U.S. passport, driver's license, and Social Security card.
Common Mistakes in I-9 Verification
| Document Types for I-9 Verification | Common Mistakes in I-9 Verification |
|---|---|
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Document Retention and Storage Guidelines
Employees must provide specific documents for I-9 verification to confirm identity and employment authorization. Proper retention and storage of these documents ensure compliance with federal regulations.
- Retention Period - Documents must be retained for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later.
- Storage Methods - Physical or electronic storage is allowed, but security measures must protect from unauthorized access or damage.
- Accessibility Requirements - Documents should be readily available for inspection by authorized government officials during audits.
Your organization must adhere to these guidelines to avoid penalties and maintain proper employment records.
Auditing and Reviewing I-9 Forms
Employees must provide specific documents to complete the I-9 verification process, verifying their identity and employment authorization. Common documents include a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or a combination of a driver's license and Social Security card.
Auditing and reviewing I-9 forms is essential for compliance with USCIS regulations. Employers should regularly examine forms for completeness, accuracy, and proper documentation. Maintaining organized records and correcting errors promptly minimizes the risk of penalties during an audit.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Employees must provide valid documents from the List of Acceptable Documents for I-9 verification to prove identity and employment authorization. Failure to present proper documentation can result in the employer facing civil fines and penalties. Non-compliance may also lead to audits, potential legal action, and delays in the onboarding process.
E-Verify Integration and I-9 Compliance
Employees must present valid documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents to complete Form I-9 verification, proving their identity and employment authorization. Common documents include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or a combination of a driver's license and Social Security card.
E-Verify integration electronically confirms the information provided on the I-9 form against federal databases. This process enhances I-9 compliance by ensuring employees are authorized to work in the United States quickly and accurately.
What Documents Does an Employee Need for I-9 Verification? Infographic
