Hiring? You Need the New I-9 Form

Get ready to start using the new version of the I-9 employment eligibility verification form, which is now available. While the form is dated 10/21/2019, it becomes mandatory on May 1, 2020.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers a paper I-9 Form and an electronic, fillable I-9 Form., and employers can choose to use either version through April 30. The new version of the paper form remains the same as the previous version.

Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers must properly complete Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and noncitizens.

Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form. Employers must retain the form for a designated period and make it available for inspection when requested.

I-9 Audits are on the rise, so make sure you are in compliance.

Overview of Changes

The new version of the form features minor changes visible only when completing the electronic version of the form, including:

• Additional countries listed in the Countries of Issuance field.

• Clarification on who can act as an authorized representative of an employer. Employers may designate anyone to be an authorized representative to complete Section 2, but the employer remains liable for any violations by the designated person. 

• Clarifications relating to acceptable documents. Writing N/A in identity document columns is no longer necessary.

• Clarification that List C documents establishing employment authorization doesn’t include a worker's Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that contains a photograph.

To download the electronic, fillable I-9 Form, click here.