Employment verification for the I-9 form requires specific documents to confirm identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport or passport card, a permanent resident card, or a driver's license combined with a Social Security card. Employers must review original documents, not photocopies, to complete the form accurately and comply with federal regulations.
What Documents are Needed for Employment Verification (I-9 Form)?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. Passport | A U.S. Passport serves as an acceptable List A document for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9), proving both identity and employment authorization. Employers must examine the passport's original documentation to ensure it is valid, unexpired, and belongs to the employee submitting it. |
| 2 | U.S. Passport Card | The U.S. Passport Card serves as an acceptable List A document for employment verification under the I-9 form, proving both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the Passport Card is unexpired and contains a photograph to meet the requirements set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). |
| 3 | Permanent Resident Card (Green Card, Form I-551) | The Permanent Resident Card (Green Card, Form I-551) serves as a key document for employment verification by establishing both identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employers must examine the original Green Card during the Section 2 review of Form I-9 to confirm lawful permanent resident status and eligibility for employment. |
| 4 | Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) | The Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) serves as a critical document for employment verification under the I-9 process, proving both identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employees presenting an EAD fulfill the requirement for List A documents, simplifying compliance with federal employment eligibility verification standards. |
| 5 | Foreign Passport with I-551 Stamp or MRIV | A Foreign Passport with an I-551 Stamp or a Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) serves as acceptable documentation for employment verification on the I-9 Form, establishing both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the document is unexpired and appears genuine to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines. |
| 6 | Form I-94 with Foreign Passport | Form I-94, paired with a valid foreign passport, serves as essential documentation for employment verification in the I-9 process, confirming an individual's nonimmigrant status and authorized work period in the United States. Employers must ensure the Form I-94 is current and corresponds with the employee's visa classification to validate legal employment eligibility. |
| 7 | Driver’s License (State-issued) | A state-issued driver's license serves as a primary document for identity verification in the I-9 employment eligibility process, confirming the employee's legal name and photo identification. While it establishes identity, employees must also present documentation proving employment authorization, such as a Social Security card or birth certificate, to complete the I-9 form requirements. |
| 8 | State Identification Card | A State Identification Card is an acceptable List B document for employment verification on the I-9 Form, proving identity but not employment authorization. Employers must also review a List C document, such as a Social Security card, to confirm employment eligibility. |
| 9 | School Identification Card with Photo | A school identification card with a photo can be used as a List B document for employment verification on the I-9 form, proving the employee's identity but not their employment authorization. Employers must pair this document with a List C document, such as a social security card or birth certificate, to complete the verification process. |
| 10 | Voter Registration Card | The Voter Registration Card is accepted as a List A document for employment verification on the I-9 form, proving both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the card is original and unexpired to comply with USCIS regulations during the hiring process. |
| 11 | U.S. Military Card or Draft Record | The U.S. Military Card or Draft Record serves as an acceptable List A document for employment verification on the I-9 form, proving both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the document is original and unexpired to comply with USCIS regulations during the verification process. |
| 12 | Military Dependent’s ID Card | The Military Dependent's ID Card is an acceptable List C document for employment verification on the I-9 Form, proving identity but not employment authorization. Employers must also obtain a List A or List B document from the employee to establish work eligibility alongside the Military Dependent's ID Card. |
| 13 | U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card | The U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card serves as an acceptable List A document for employment verification on the I-9 form, proving both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the card is unexpired and matches the employee's information to comply with federal verification requirements. |
| 14 | Native American Tribal Document | Native American Tribal Documents accepted for employment verification under the I-9 form include Tribal enrollment cards and a Native American photo identification card issued by a federally recognized tribe. These documents establish both identity and employment authorization, fulfilling the requirements outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for verifying an employee's eligibility to work. |
| 15 | Birth Certificate (Original or Certified Copy) | For employment verification using the I-9 form, a Birth Certificate (original or certified copy) serves as an essential List C document to establish an employee's identity. This document must be unexpired and issued by a U.S. state, municipality, or outlying possession to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations. |
| 16 | Social Security Card | The Social Security Card is a key document for Employment Verification as it confirms an employee's Social Security Number (SSN), essential for tax and eligibility purposes on the I-9 Form. Employers require the original Social Security Card alongside other identity documents to ensure compliance with federal employment regulations. |
| 17 | Consular Report of Birth Abroad | The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) serves as an official primary document for employment verification on the I-9 form, proving both identity and U.S. citizenship for employees born outside the United States. Employers must accept the CRBA along with a valid photo ID to fulfill Form I-9 requirements, ensuring compliance with federal employment eligibility verification laws. |
| 18 | Certification of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545, DS-1350) | Certification of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545, DS-1350) serves as primary evidence of identity and employment authorization for the I-9 form, verifying U.S. citizenship for employment eligibility. Employers must accept these documents to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements during the employment verification process. |
| 19 | U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197) | The U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197) serves as an acceptable List A document for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9), proving both identity and employment authorization for U.S. citizens. Employers must ensure the card is unexpired and genuine, as required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines for verifying employee eligibility. |
| 20 | Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179) | The Form I-179, Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States, serves as a valid List A document for employment verification under the I-9 process, confirming both identity and employment authorization. Employers must ensure the card is unexpired and authentic to comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements when completing Form I-9. |
| 21 | School Record or Report Card (for minors) | For employment verification using the I-9 form, minors may present a school record or report card as proof of their identity and age, fulfilling the document requirement when a Social Security card or birth certificate is unavailable. These academic records must be official and include the minor's name, date of birth, and a recent photograph or address to satisfy Form I-9 verification standards. |
| 22 | Clinic, Doctor, or Hospital Record (for minors) | Employment verification using the I-9 form requires minors to present clinic, doctor, or hospital records as acceptable documents to establish identity and employment authorization, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. These medical records must clearly display the minor's name, date of birth, and relevant health information to validate their eligibility for employment. |
| 23 | Day-care or Nursery School Record (for minors) | Employment verification for minors requires submitting a Day-care or Nursery School Record as part of the I-9 Form documentation to confirm the child's enrollment and attendance. This record helps employers validate the minor's identity and eligibility to work, complying with federal employment verification standards. |
Introduction to I-9 Compliance and Employment Verification
The I-9 form is a mandatory document used by employers in the United States to verify the identity and employment authorization of employees. Compliance with I-9 regulations ensures that only eligible individuals are hired, preventing unauthorized work. Key documents required for verification include government-issued identification and proof of employment eligibility as listed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Legal Requirements for I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification
The I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form requires specific documents to confirm an employee's identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employers must examine acceptable documents from List A or a combination of documents from List B and List C.
List A includes documents such as a U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card, which establish both identity and employment authorization. List B consists of identity documents like a driver's license, while List C covers work authorization evidence like a Social Security card.
Overview of Acceptable I-9 Documentation
The I-9 form requires specific documents to verify your identity and employment eligibility in the United States. Proper documentation ensures compliance with federal law and smooth onboarding processes.
- 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, including driver's licenses or state ID cards with a photo.
- List C documents - Establish employment authorization only, like a Social Security card or birth certificate.
Employers must examine acceptable documents from these lists to complete the I-9 form accurately and timely.
List A Documents: Establishing Identity and Employment Authorization
The I-9 form requires specific documents to verify both your identity and employment authorization. List A documents include a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Presenting one of these documents satisfies the I-9 requirements by confirming your eligibility to work in the United States.
List B Documents: Establishing Identity Only
The I-9 form requires documents to verify both identity and employment authorization. List B documents specifically establish identity only and must be original and unexpired.
List B documents include a state-issued driver's license, a state ID card, or a school identification card with a photograph. Other acceptable documents are a U.S. military card or draft record, and a voter registration card. These documents help confirm your identity without proving work authorization.
List C Documents: Establishing Employment Authorization Only
| List C Documents: Establishing Employment Authorization Only | |
|---|---|
| Documents | Description |
| U.S. Social Security Account Number Card | Valid Social Security card issued by the Social Security Administration. Must not contain "Not Valid for Employment" restriction. |
| Other Document Issued by Social Security Administration | Document that contains the individual's name and Social Security number, such as a card or letter confirming a valid Social Security number and employment authorization. |
| Certification of Birth Abroad Issued by U.S. Department of State (Form FS-545 or Form DS-1350) | Proof of citizenship and identity issued to individuals born outside the United States. |
| Original Native American Tribal Document | Documents issued by recognized Native American tribes verifying identity and employment authorization. |
| U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197) | Identification card issued to U.S. citizens to establish identity and employment eligibility. |
| Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179) | Card used by resident citizens to verify employment authorization and identity. |
| Other State or Government-Issued ID Cards with Employment Authorization | Government-issued photo ID cards that clearly show the holder is authorized to work in the United States. |
Document Retention and Storage Guidelines for I-9 Forms
Employment verification requires completing the I-9 form, which involves presenting specific documents to confirm identity and work authorization. These documents must be retained according to federal guidelines to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.
Employers must store I-9 forms securely for either three years after the employee's hire date or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. Proper storage protects sensitive information and facilitates audits by the Department of Homeland Security or other authorities.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid I-9 Violations
Employment verification requires proper completion of the I-9 form to confirm the identity and work authorization of employees. Understanding common mistakes helps avoid costly I-9 violations and penalties.
- Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation - Employers must review acceptable documents listed on the I-9 form and ensure they are properly recorded to avoid discrepancies.
- Missing Deadlines for I-9 Completion - The form must be completed within three business days of the employee's start date to remain compliant with immigration laws.
- Failure to Reverify Work Authorization - Employers must reverify documents for employees with expiring work authorization to maintain valid employment eligibility.
Reverification and Updating Expired Employment Documents
What documents are required for reverification and updating expired employment documents on the I-9 form? Employers must review Section 3 of the I-9 form when an employee's work authorization expires. Acceptable documents include a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or a valid foreign passport with an updated visa and Form I-94.
What Documents are Needed for Employment Verification (I-9 Form)? Infographic
