The existing I-9 Form is now expiring in January of 2017. The new form is now available on the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) site.
Are You Still Keeping Copies of Identification?
Many employers maintain copies of the forms of identification. This is not required. The employer representative signing the form is acknowledging that they have reviewed the documentation. Employers are still required to present the instructions to the employee completing the form.
Changes to the Form I-9
- Field Validation: Validations on certain fields to ensure information is entered correctly. The form will validate the correct number of digits for a Social Security number or an expiration date on an identity document, for example.
- Dates: Drop-down lists and calendars.
- Buttons: Certain buttons will allow users to access the instructions electronically. Print the form and clear the form to start over.
- Spacing: Additional spaces to enter multiple preparers and translators. If the employee does not use a preparer or translator to assist in completing section 1, he or she must indicate so on a new check box labeled, “I did not use a preparer or translator.”
- Last Name: The requirement that workers provide only other last names used in Section 1, rather than all other names used.
- Status: A new “Citizenship/Immigration Status” field at the top of section 2.
- Additional Notation: A dedicated area to enter additional information that employers are currently required to notate in the margins of the form. Such as; Temporary Protected Status and Optional Practical Training extensions.
- Instructions: Embedded instructions for completing each field.
- Bar Coding: A quick-response matrix barcode, or QR code, that generates once the form is printed that can be used to streamline enforcement audits.
