Form I-9, officially known as the Employment Eligibility Verification, is a form used in the United States to verify the identity and legal authorization of individuals hired for employment in the country. It was mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which required employers to verify that all newly hired employees presented valid documentation verifying their identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

The form consists of two sections and two supplements. Section 1, Employee Information and Attestation, must be completed by the employee no later than the first day of employment, but not before accepting a job offer. Section 2, Employer or Authorized Representative Review and Verification, must be completed by the employer within three business days of the employees first day of work. Supplement A, Preparer and/or Translator Certification for Section 1, must be completed by a preparer or translator if the employee cannot read or write in English. Supplement B, List of Acceptable Documents, provides a list of documents that employees can present to verify their identity and employment authorization.

Employers must complete and retain Form I-9 for every person they hire for employment in the United States, including citizens and noncitizens. The form must be completed properly, and employers are liable for failing to comply with the requirements for completing it. The form can be completed electronically or on paper, and employees must attest to their employment authorization and present acceptable documents as evidence of identity and employment authorization.

Form I-9 is available in English and Spanish, and employers must ensure that the form instructions are available to employees when completing the form. Employers must retain an employees Form I-9 for as long as the individual works for the employer, and the length of retention after the individuals employment has terminated must be determined by the employer.