Employment eligibility verification requires specific documents to confirm an individual's right to work in the United States. Employees must provide either one document from List A, which establishes both identity and employment authorization, or one document each from List B (identity) and List C (employment authorization). Common examples include a U.S. passport, a driver's license combined with a Social Security card, or a permanent resident card.
What Documents are Needed for Employment Eligibility Verification?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card | A U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card serves as both proof of identity and employment authorization for completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, required by U.S. employers. These documents confirm U.S. citizenship and meet federal compliance standards, ensuring lawful employment eligibility without the need for additional evidence. |
| 2 | Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) | A Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) serves as crucial documentation for employment eligibility verification, proving both identity and authorized work status within the United States. Employers must accept this card as a valid List A document when completing Form I-9, confirming the employee's legal authorization to work. |
| 3 | Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) | The Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) serves as a critical document for verifying employment eligibility in the United States, proving both identity and authorized work status. Employers rely on this form as evidence during the I-9 verification process to comply with federal regulations and ensure lawful employment. |
| 4 | Foreign Passport with Form I-94 or I-94A | A foreign passport accompanied by Form I-94 or I-94A serves as proof of identity and employment authorization for verifying employment eligibility under Form I-9 requirements. Employers must ensure these documents are current and authentic to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. |
| 5 | Driver’s License or State ID Card | A valid Driver's License or State ID Card serves as primary identification documents for employment eligibility verification, proving both identity and residency in the hiring process. Employers use these government-issued IDs to complete Form I-9, ensuring compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requirements. |
| 6 | Social Security Card | A Social Security Card is a primary document required for Employment Eligibility Verification to confirm an employee's Social Security Number (SSN) and authorization to work in the United States. Employers use this document along with other identification forms to complete the I-9 form and comply with federal employment verification laws. |
| 7 | Birth Certificate (with official seal) | A birth certificate with an official seal is a primary document accepted for employment eligibility verification, proving U.S. citizenship and identity. Employers use this certified document to complete Form I-9, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. |
| 8 | Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) | A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) serves as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for employment eligibility verification under Form I-9 requirements. Employers must accept this document as proof of identity and employment authorization without requiring additional documentation. |
| 9 | Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) | The Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) serves as official documentation to prove an individual's eligibility to work in the United States and must be presented during Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) completion. Employers rely on this certificate to verify that employees meet federal requirements for lawful employment, ensuring compliance with immigration laws. |
| 10 | Native American Tribal Document | Employment eligibility verification requires valid documentation such as a Native American tribal document recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which serves as proof of identity and employment authorization. These tribal documents must include specific tribal enrollment numbers or identification to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-9 standards. |
| 11 | School ID Card with Photograph | A School ID Card with Photograph serves as a valid List A document for proving both identity and employment authorization during the Employment Eligibility Verification process (Form I-9). Employers must ensure the card includes the employee's full name, photograph, and school information to meet U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) standards. |
| 12 | U.S. Military Card or Draft Record | A U.S. Military Card or Draft Record serves as a valid document for Employment Eligibility Verification, establishing both identity and employment authorization under Form I-9 requirements. Employers must ensure the document is original and unexpired to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) standards. |
| 13 | Military Dependent’s ID Card | A Military Dependent's ID Card serves as acceptable documentation for employment eligibility verification under Form I-9, demonstrating both identity and employment authorization. This card verifies the holder's status as a dependent of active duty service members, making it a critical document for employers to confirm lawful employment in the United States. |
| 14 | U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card | The U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card serves as a primary document for Employment Eligibility Verification, demonstrating both identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employers must also review the card's expiration date and ensure it is unexpired to comply with Form I-9 requirements. |
| 15 | Employment Authorization Document from DHS | The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) serves as a crucial identity and employment eligibility verification document, allowing foreign nationals to work legally in the United States. Employers must collect and review the EAD along with other Form I-9 acceptable documents to complete the mandatory employment eligibility verification process. |
Introduction to Employment Eligibility Verification
What documents are needed for employment eligibility verification? Employment eligibility verification requires specific documents to establish your identity and authorization to work. Commonly accepted documents include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or a combination of a driver's license and social security card.
Importance of Compliance in the Hiring Process
Employment eligibility verification requires specific documents to confirm a worker's legal right to work. Common documents include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or a combination of a driver's license and Social Security card.
Compliance with these verification requirements is crucial to avoid legal penalties and ensure a trustworthy workforce. Your diligence in completing the hiring process correctly maintains both company integrity and regulatory adherence.
Key Documents Required for Verification
| Document Category | Key Documents Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of Identity | U.S. Passport, State Driver's License, or ID Card | Establishes the individual's identity through government-issued identification. |
| Employment Authorization | Social Security Card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) | Confirms the individual's legal authorization to work in the United States. |
| Combination Documents | U.S. Passport Card or Permanent Resident Card | Serves as evidence of both identity and employment authorization. |
| Additional Supporting Documents | Birth Certificate with Social Security Card, or Certificate of Citizenship/Naturalization | Used when primary documents are insufficient to verify employment eligibility. |
Understanding Form I-9: Purpose and Process
Form I-9 is essential for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. Employers must complete this form to comply with federal law and ensure lawful hiring practices.
The form requires employees to present original documents that establish identity and employment eligibility, such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or driver's license combined with a Social Security card. Employers review these documents and retain Form I-9 for a specified period. Accurate completion and retention of Form I-9 help prevent unauthorized employment and avoid legal penalties.
Acceptable Documents for Proof of Identity and Work Authorization
Employment eligibility verification requires presenting specific documents proving identity and work authorization. Employers must confirm these documents to comply with legal hiring standards.
- List A Documents - These documents establish both identity and employment authorization, such as a U.S. Passport or Permanent Resident Card.
- List B Documents - These prove identity alone and include items like a state-issued driver's license or school identification card.
- List C Documents - These verify work authorization only, examples being a Social Security card or a birth certificate.
Employer Responsibilities and Recordkeeping
Employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of all new hires by completing Form I-9. Required documents include government-issued photo identification and evidence of work authorization.
Employers are responsible for retaining completed I-9 forms for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. Proper recordkeeping ensures compliance with federal regulations and prepares your business for potential audits.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Employment Verification
Employment eligibility verification requires precise documentation to comply with legal standards. Common mistakes during this process can lead to delays or legal issues.
- Submitting Expired Documents - Using outdated identification like expired passports or driver's licenses invalidates employment eligibility verification.
- Providing Incomplete Forms - Missing signatures or incomplete sections on forms such as the I-9 causes rejection and re-verification demands.
- Failing to Present Acceptable Documents - Presenting unacceptable or unverifiable documents results in non-compliance with federal employment regulations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Employment eligibility verification requires specific documents such as a valid passport, Social Security card, or Permanent Resident Card. Employers must complete Form I-9 and retain it for inspection to confirm an employee's legal authorization to work. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant penalties, including fines up to $2,327 per violation and possible criminal charges for repeated offenses.
E-Verify: An Overview and Benefits
Employment eligibility verification requires specific documents to confirm a worker's right to work in the United States. E-Verify streamlines this process by electronically matching employee information with government records.
- E-Verify Overview - E-Verify is an online system that compares information from Form I-9 to government databases to verify employment eligibility.
- Benefits of E-Verify - Employers experience faster verification, reduced paperwork errors, and enhanced compliance with immigration laws.
- Required Documents for Verification - Documents such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or a combination of a driver's license and Social Security card are commonly used.
Your participation in E-Verify ensures a lawful workforce and simplifies the hiring process.
What Documents are Needed for Employment Eligibility Verification? Infographic
