The New Year Means a New Form I-9

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The new form provides more clarity about the information requested and is easier to complete on a computer. Employers can either switch to the new form or use the existing version now through Jan. 21, 2017; the switch to the new form becomes mandatory on Jan. 22.

The changes on the new I-9 include:

• Prompts have been added to ensure information is entered correctly.
• Section 1 of the form asks for “other last names used” instead of “other names used.”
• The computer-based version of the form now features drop-down lists and calendars for the appropriate fields, on-screen instructions for each field, automatic generation of a quick response (QR) code and other conveniences.
• Certification has been streamlined for certain foreign nationals.
• Users can now enter multiple preparers and translators.
• There is a dedicated area for additional information (as opposed to adding this information in the margins).
• A supplemental page is now included for the preparer/translator.

All U.S. employers are required to complete Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States.  This includes citizens and non-citizens. For more information or to download the new form, visit the USCIS website’s page about Form I-9.

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