Form I-9, Explained in Plain English
Form I-9 verifies the identity and work authorization of every employee in the United States, and every U.S. employer must complete one for every worker they hire.
Which documents can I use? →What Form I-9 is and who must complete one
Form I-9 is the federal form that verifies a worker's identity and authorization to work in the United States. Every U.S. employer must complete one for every employee they hire. This applies to citizens and noncitizens alike. It applies no matter the size of the company and no matter whether the job is full time, part time, or temporary.
There are only a few exceptions. Independent contractors who receive a 1099 do not need an I-9, and neither do casual domestic workers. Everyone else who is hired as an employee does.
Who fills out what, and when
The I-9 is shared between the worker and the employer. The employee completes Section 1 by the end of their first day of employment. The employer completes Section 2 within 3 business days of the start date.
In Section 2, the employer reviews the documents the employee chooses to present. The employee picks the documents from the official Lists of Acceptable Documents, and the employer must accept any valid choice. Demanding specific documents is not allowed.
New here? See how to complete Form I-9 step by step.
The current edition and the July 31, 2026 deadline
The current edition of Form I-9 is dated 01/20/25 and expires 05/31/2027. The edition date is in the bottom-left corner of the form, and the expiration date is in the top-right corner.
An older 08/01/23 edition that shows a 05/31/2027 expiration is also still acceptable. The one to watch out for is the 08/01/23 printing that shows a 07/31/2026 expiration. That version cannot be used for new hires after July 31, 2026, and electronic I-9 systems must be updated to serve the 05/31/2027 version by that date. I-9s already completed on older editions stay valid and do not need to be redone. Learn more on the current I-9 version page.
Start here, whether you are an employee or an employer
If you are a new employee, you fill out Section 1 and bring documents that prove who you are and that you can work. See how to complete Form I-9 and which documents you can use.
If you are an employer, you review the documents and complete Section 2 on time. See the employer guide to Section 2 and confirm you are using the current I-9 version.
Every I-9 guide
- How to complete Form I-9, step by step
- Which I-9 edition to use, and the July 31 2026 deadline
- Acceptable documents: List A, B, and C
- Section 1: the employee's part
- New hire: which documents to bring
- Section 2: the employer's duties
- Supplement B: reverification and rehire
- Remote (alternative) document verification
- How long to keep I-9s
- How to run an I-9 self-audit
- What happens in an ICE audit
- I-9 penalties and fines
- Common I-9 mistakes to avoid
- What is E-Verify
- E-Verify state requirements
- I-9 vs E-Verify
- New-hire next steps after the I-9
Frequently asked questions
Every U.S. employer must complete a Form I-9 for every employee they hire, citizen or noncitizen. It applies to companies of any size and to full-time, part-time, and temporary jobs. Independent contractors who receive a 1099 and casual domestic workers are exceptions.
The employee completes Section 1 by the end of their first day of employment. The employer completes Section 2 within 3 business days of the start date.
Use the 01/20/25 edition, which expires 05/31/2027. The 08/01/23 edition that shows a 05/31/2027 expiration is also acceptable. The 08/01/23 printing that shows a 07/31/2026 expiration cannot be used for new hires after July 31, 2026.
You can bring one document from List A, which proves both identity and work authorization, such as a U.S. passport. Or you can bring a combination of one List B document for identity, such as a driver's license, plus one List C document for work authorization, such as a Social Security card without work restrictions. The choice is yours. See /acceptable-documents/ for the full lists.
No. Independent contractors who receive a 1099 do not need a Form I-9. Casual domestic workers are also an exception. The I-9 requirement applies to employees.
No. I-9s that were already completed on an earlier edition stay valid and do not need to be redone. The edition rules apply to new hires going forward.