The Revised Form I-9

In October of 2019, the Office of Management and Budget approved the minor changes on the new version of the Form I-9. On January 31, 2020, the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) published the new Form I-9. They instructed employers to begin using this version at their earliest convenience; however, on May 1, 2020, the new Form I-9 is the only acceptable form for submission. 

What is the Form I-9?

The purpose of the Form I-9, the Employment Eligibility Verification form, is to verify the identity and employment authorization of every new employee. The last page of the form includes a list of acceptable verification documents, such as a U.S. Passport or a voter's registration card along with a U.S. Citizen ID Card. This section was recently updated to clarify who is eligible to present specific types of identification. 
Once the form is filled out and turned in, employers must review the information to determine if the proof of verification is accurate. If the form is acceptable, employers need to store the form in the employee's file during the first three years of their employment. If they are terminated during this time, the form should be kept on file for one year after their termination.

What is new on the Form I-9?

There are many small changes to the new Form I-9; however, one meaningful change you should check for is the date. In the bottom left corner of the new Form I-9 is the date it was approved, October 21, 2019. This is the version you are required to use beginning May 1, 2020, so always confirm this is the version being utilized. Other changes you should be aware of are in the instructions document that should always be included with this form. The instructions clarify who is authorized to represent on behalf of an employer. As mentioned above, the new guidelines also explain which documents are acceptable per person. 

To learn more about where to file Form I-9, special instructions, or to download the form and directions, visit USCIS.gov/i-9.