The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. By January 22, 2017, employers must start using the revised form dated 11/14/2016 N, but may use the version dated 03/08/2013 N or the revised version until then. Employers should continue to follow existing storage and retentions rules for all of their previously completed Forms I-9.
All employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each employee hired to work in the United States. The new version of the form includes various changes and upgrades. First, Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.
Other changes include:
-
The addition of prompts to ensure that information is entered correctly
-
The ability to enter multiple preparers and translators
-
A dedicated area for including additional information
-
A supplemental page for the preparer/translator
Additionally, the instructions have been separated from the form and include specific instructions for completing each field. The revised form is also easier to complete on a computer, with new features such as drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates.
The revised Form I-9 and the accompanying instructions are available here and here, respectively.
