Form I-9 is a document used by employers in the United States to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the country. It is officially known as the “Employment Eligibility Verification Form” and is required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security.

Key features of Form I-9 include:

• Verification of identity and work authorization: Form I-9 is used to collect information and documentation from newly hired employees to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Employees are required to provide specific documents that establish their identity and employment authorization, such as a U.S. passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, or Permanent Resident Card (green card), along with other acceptable documents listed on the form.

• Completion by both employer and employee: Form I-9 must be completed by both the employer and the employee. The employee is responsible for providing accurate and truthful information and presenting valid and unexpired documents to establish their identity and work authorization. The employer is responsible for reviewing the documents provided by the employee, completing the employer section of the form, and retaining the form and supporting documentation for a specified period of time.

• Timing of completion: Form I-9 must be completed for each newly hired employee, including U.S. citizens and non-citizens, within three business days of the employee’s start date of employment. Employees must complete Section 1 of the form on or before their first day of employment, while employers must complete Section 2 of the form and examine the employee’s documents within the same timeframe.

• Retention and recordkeeping: Employers are required to retain Form I-9 and the supporting documentation provided by employees for a specified period of time, typically either three years after the date of hire or one year after the date of termination, whichever is later. The forms must be kept on file and made available for inspection by authorized government officials, such as representatives from USCIS, the Department of Labor, or the Department of Justice.

Form I-9 is a critical component of the employment verification process in the United States and helps ensure that employers hire only individuals who are authorized to work in the country. Compliance with Form I-9 requirements is mandatory for all employers, and failure to comply can result in penalties, fines, and other legal consequences.