What is Form I-9?

Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) must be completed by every employee hired in the United States within 3 business days of their start date. The employee provides identity and work authorization documents (e.g., passport, driver's license + Social Security card), and the employer verifies and records them. I-9s must be retained for 3 years after the hire date or 1 year after termination, whichever is later. E-Verify is the optional electronic system that cross-checks I-9 data with government databases.