What is I-9 form?

I-9 form, also known as employment eligibility verification, refers to an American federal form that requires newly hired employees to provide certain documents to prove their identity and that they are legally allowed to work in the States.

What is I-9 form?

The I-9 form, or the Employment Eligibility Verification form, is a document used by employers in the United States to verify the identity and employment eligibility of their employees. The form is required by federal law and must be completed by both the employee and the employer within three days of the employee's start date.

The purpose of the I-9 form is to ensure that employers are only hiring individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. The form requires employees to provide documentation that verifies their identity and employment eligibility, such as a passport, driver's license, or birth certificate, along with a Social Security card or other acceptable proof of their legal right to work in the US.

Employers must review the employee's documentation and certify that they have examined the documents and that they appear to be genuine and relate to the employee presenting them. The I-9 form must be kept on file by the employer for a certain period of time, typically three years after the employee's date of hire, or one year after the employee's termination, whichever is later.

Employers who fail to properly complete and retain I-9 forms may be subject to penalties and fines from the US government. Therefore, it is important for employers to ensure that they understand the requirements of the I-9 form and follow them carefully.