What is the Form I-9?

The employment eligibility verification requirement was established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).  In general, U.S. employers must complete a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for each person hired after November 6, 1986.

The Form I-9 requires employers to review and record data from the individual’s original identity and employment authorization document(s) and assess whether those documents appear to be genuine and relate to the individual presenting them.  Failure to comply with IRCA or complete the correct version of the Form I-9 can result in technical or substantive violations of IRCA and lead to civil and/or criminal sanctions.