Employment Eligibility Verification: New Form I-9 Released, Use Required by April 20

On Jan. 31, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers can use either the new or existing version now through April 30; the switch to the new form becomes mandatory after that date.

The changes on the new I-9 are minor. On the form itself, the Country of Issuance field in Section 1 and the Issuing Authority field in Section 2 now include Eswatini and Macedonia, North. This was done to reflect recent name changes for those countries.

The remaining changes are on the instructions for use and are as follows:

• Clarified who can act as an authorized representative on behalf of an employer
• Updated the USCIS website address
• Provided clarifications on acceptable documents for Form I-9
• Updated the process for requesting paper Forms I-9
• Updated the Department of Homeland Security Privacy Notice

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. And as always, contact a qualified HR consultant if you have any questions about Form I-9 or any other employment documentation.

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