I 9 Form

What is the I-9 Form

The I-9 Form, officially known as the Employment Eligibility Verification form, is a crucial document used in the United States to verify an employee's identity and eligibility to work. This form is required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and must be completed by both the employer and the employee. The I-9 Form collects information about the employee's identity, including their name, address, and date of birth, along with documentation that proves their legal right to work in the U.S.

How to obtain the I-9 Form

To obtain the I-9 Form, individuals can visit the official USCIS website, where the form is available for download in PDF format. The 2019 I-9 Form is also accessible through various government offices and employment agencies. It is important to ensure that the most current version of the form is used, as older versions may not be accepted by employers.

Steps to complete the I-9 Form

Completing the I-9 Form involves several key steps:

• Section 1: The employee must fill out their personal information, including name, address, and date of birth, and sign the form to certify the information provided is accurate.
• Section 2: The employer is responsible for completing this section. They must review the employee's documents that establish identity and employment eligibility and record the document details on the form.
• Section 3: This section is used for reverification of employment eligibility when necessary, such as when an employee's work authorization expires.

Legal use of the I-9 Form

The I-9 Form is legally binding and must be completed accurately to comply with federal law. Employers are required to retain the completed forms for a specified period and must be prepared to present them for inspection by authorized government officials. Failure to comply with I-9 requirements can lead to significant penalties for employers.

Required Documents

When completing the I-9 Form, employees must provide documents that establish their identity and employment eligibility. These documents are categorized into three lists:

• List A: Documents that establish both identity and employment authorization, such as a U.S. passport or a Permanent Resident Card.
• List B: Documents that establish identity, such as a driver's license or state ID card.
• List C: Documents that establish employment authorization, such as a Social Security card or birth certificate.

Form Submission Methods (Online / Mail / In-Person)

The I-9 Form can be submitted in several ways, depending on the employer's preference:

• In-Person: The most common method, where the employee presents their documents to the employer for verification.
• Online: Some employers may use electronic systems to complete and store the I-9 Form digitally, ensuring compliance with eSignature laws.
• Mail: While not typical for initial completion, some employers may choose to send completed forms via mail for record-keeping purposes.