The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised Form I-9, and employers should begin using it right away.
The new form went into effect today. The revision date of the form is printed in the lower left corner. Employers are encouraged to begin using the new form now, but forms dated February 2, 2009, and August 7, 2009, will be accepted until the effective date of the revised form—May 7, 2013.
All employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States. The purpose of the form is to verify employees’ identity and employment authorization. Employers shouldn’t complete the revised Form I-9 for current employees if a properly completed form is already on file.
Revisions to the form include:
- Added data fields, including the employee’s foreign passport information (if applicable) and telephone and e-mail addresses;
- New instructions for the form; and
- A revised layout that expands the form to two pages (not including the instructions and the list of acceptable documents).
A Spanish version of the new form is available on the USCIS’s website. The Spanish version is for use in Puerto Rico only. Spanish-speaking employers and employees in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories may use the Spanish version for reference purposes but must complete the English version of the form.
Download the English version of the new Form I-9 at www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf.
Download the Spanish version of the new Form I-9 at www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9_spanish.pdf.
Get 8 tips for using the new Form I-9 on the HR Hero Line blog.