What is form I-9 and why do I need to complete it? Form I-9 is for Employment Eligibility Verification. This is used to verify identity and employment authorization for anyone working in the U.S. This immigration form can be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.gov) website.
Who uses the form? All U.S. businesses must complete Form I-9 for each employee regardless of the employee’s immigration status. Once completed, the form must be retained by the employer in the event of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspection/audit. The form should be retained for three years after the date of hire or one year after the date of employment termination, whichever is later.
Employers who fail to provide this form for each employee can be fined pursuant to Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Part 274a, Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations.
If you are a business owner or employer and have questions about form I-9, call our office for assistance.
**THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE. EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT. YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY TO DETERMINE HOW THIS GENERAL INFORMATION IMPACTS YOUR SPECIFIC CASE.
