I-9 Form 2026 PDF - Free Fillable Download & Printable
Download free fillable USCIS I-9 form 2026 PDF. Fill out online, print, or download. Employment Eligibility Verification with instructions for employers and new hires — E-Verify compatible.
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What is USCIS Form I-9?
The federal form required for every employee hired in the United States
Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) is a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form that every employer in the United States must complete for each person they hire. The form verifies both the identity and employment authorization of individuals working in the country.
The I-9 process involves two parties: the employee fills out Section 1 on or before their first day of work, and the employer completes Section 2 within 3 business days of the employee's start date by examining original identity and work authorization documents.
What's New for I-9 in 2026
Important updates employers and employees need to know
Permanent Remote Verification via E-Verify
Employers enrolled in E-Verify in good standing can permanently use live video calls to examine original documents remotely — no in-person meeting required.
COVID-Era Flexibilities End March 31, 2026
Relaxed verification rules from the pandemic era expire. After March 31, employers must use in-person inspection or the official E-Verify remote procedure exclusively.
Increased Civil Penalties
Penalties adjusted for inflation: $272–$2,701 per form for paperwork violations, $676–$27,018 per worker for knowing violations. Criminal charges possible for pattern offenses.
Updated Form Edition (08/01/2023)
The current form edition (Rev. 08/01/2023) is valid through 05/31/2027. Employers must use this version — older editions are not accepted.
How to Fill Out Form I-9
3 sections — Employee and Employer each have responsibilities
Section 1: Employee Information Employee Completes
On or before the first day of employment, the employee fills in:
- Full legal name (last, first, middle initial)
- Other last names used (maiden name, etc.)
- Address (street, city, state, ZIP)
- Date of birth and Social Security Number (required if employer uses E-Verify)
- Citizenship/immigration status — check one of four boxes
Section 2: Employer Review Employer Completes
Within 3 business days of the employee's start date, the employer must:
- Physically examine original documents (not copies) presented by the employee
- Accept documents from List A (identity + work authorization), OR one from List B (identity) and one from List C (work authorization)
- Record the document title, issuing authority, number, and expiration date
- Sign and date the certification
Section 3: Reverification & Rehires As Needed
Use Section 3 when:
- An employee's work authorization expires — reverify before the expiration date
- An employee is rehired within 3 years of the original I-9 date
- An employee legally changes their name
Acceptable Documents for I-9 Verification
List A documents prove both identity and work authorization; List B + List C together do the same
List A — Identity & Work Authorization
One document from this list is sufficient
- U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
- Foreign passport with Form I-94
- Employment Authorization Document (I-766)
- Foreign passport with Form I-551 stamp
- Receipt for replacement of List A document
List B — Identity Only
Must be paired with a List C document
- Driver's license or state ID card
- School ID card with photograph
- Voter registration card
- U.S. military card or draft record
- Military dependent's ID card
- U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document
List C — Work Authorization Only
Must be paired with a List B document
- Social Security card (unrestricted)
- Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
- U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
- Native American tribal document
- Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350)
- Employment authorization from DHS
I-9 Deadlines & Timing Requirements
Critical timelines every employer must follow
Section 1 Due
Employee must complete and sign Section 1 on or before the first day of work for pay. Not before accepting the job offer.
Section 2 Due
Employer must examine original documents and complete Section 2 within 3 business days of the employee's start date.
Retention Requirement
Keep I-9 forms for 3 years after hire date or 1 year after termination — whichever is later. Must be available for inspection.
Who Must Complete Form I-9?
Every U.S. employer and employee has I-9 obligations
I-9 Is Required For:
- Every employee hired after November 6, 1986
- Both U.S. citizens and noncitizens
- Full-time, part-time, and temporary employees
- Employees of staffing/temp agencies
- Minors (under 18) hired for employment
- Students employed on campus
I-9 Is NOT Required For:
- Independent contractors or freelancers
- Employees hired before November 7, 1986
- Unpaid volunteers
- Self-employed individuals
- Domestic workers hired casually (sporadic basis)
- Workers employed outside the United States
Staffing agencies: If you hire workers through a temp agency, the agency is typically responsible for completing the I-9. However, if you directly employ the worker, the obligation is yours.
Common I-9 Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
These errors are the top reasons employers face I-9 fines
Missing or Late Forms
The most common violation. Section 1 must be done by Day 1 and Section 2 within 3 business days. Keep a calendar reminder for every new hire.
Accepting Photocopies Instead of Originals
Employers must examine original documents, not photocopies or digital images (unless using the approved E-Verify remote procedure). Faxes and scans are not acceptable.
Requesting Specific Documents
It's illegal to tell employees which documents to present. They choose freely from List A, or from List B and List C. Over-documenting or rejecting valid docs is discrimination.
Using Outdated Form Versions
The current valid edition is Rev. 08/01/2023 (expires 05/31/2027). Using any older version makes the I-9 non-compliant and can result in penalties during an audit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to fill out an I-9 form?
Every employer in the United States must complete Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment. This applies to both citizens and noncitizens. The employee completes Section 1, and the employer completes Section 2 after examining original identity and work authorization documents.
What documents are acceptable for I-9 verification?
Employees can present one List A document (proving both identity and work authorization, like a U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card), OR one List B document (photo ID like a driver's license) combined with one List C document (like an unrestricted Social Security card). The employee chooses which documents to present — the employer cannot specify.
How long do employers need to keep I-9 forms?
Employers must retain I-9 forms for 3 years after the date of hire OR 1 year after employment ends — whichever is later. Forms must be available for inspection by DHS, DOL, or DOJ with 3 days' notice. Store them securely, separate from employee personnel files.
Can I-9 be completed remotely?
Yes, with conditions. Since August 2023, employers enrolled in E-Verify in good standing can use a permanent remote document examination procedure via live video call. The examiner must view original documents in real time, verify authenticity, and retain clear images of both front and back. Employers not in E-Verify must examine documents in person.
What are the penalties for I-9 violations?
Civil penalties for I-9 paperwork violations range from $272 to $2,701 per form for first offenses (adjusted annually for inflation). Knowingly hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized workers can result in fines from $676 to $27,018 per worker, plus potential criminal charges for pattern or practice violations. Repeat offenders face significantly higher penalties.
What is the current valid version of Form I-9?
The current edition is Rev. 08/01/2023, with an expiration date of 05/31/2027. You can identify it by the edition date in the lower left corner of the form. Any I-9 completed on an older version is non-compliant and must be corrected.
Do I need to reverify U.S. citizens?
No. You should never reverify U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). Reverification is only required for employees with temporary work authorization whose employment authorization document has an expiration date. Reverifying citizens is actually a violation of anti-discrimination law.
What is E-Verify and do I need it?
E-Verify is a web-based system that compares I-9 information against DHS and SSA databases to confirm work authorization. It's mandatory for federal contractors and some states require it for certain employers. Even when not required, E-Verify provides an added layer of compliance protection and unlocks the remote document verification option.
Ready to Complete Your I-9 Form?
Fill out, review, and download your Employment Eligibility Verification form — accurate, secure, and free
Related Employment & Immigration Forms
Forms commonly used alongside I-9
About USCIS Form I-9
USCIS Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) is one of the most critical compliance documents for American employers. Every business that hires employees in the United States — from Fortune 500 companies to single-employee startups — must complete Form I-9 for every worker. The form was introduced by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) to prevent unauthorized employment.
For 2026, employers should be aware that COVID-era document examination flexibilities expire on March 31, 2026. Going forward, only in-person document examination or the official E-Verify remote inspection procedure are permitted. Civil penalties for paperwork violations have been adjusted for inflation, with fines ranging from $272 to $2,701 per form for first offenses.
The I-9 process requires coordination between employer and employee: the employee completes Section 1 on their first day, while the employer examines original documents and completes Section 2 within 3 business days. Employers must retain completed I-9 forms for 3 years after the hire date or 1 year after termination — whichever is later.
Our free online I-9 tool provides the current USCIS form edition (Rev. 08/01/2023, valid through 05/31/2027) with an intuitive fillable interface. Whether you're an employer onboarding new hires, an HR professional conducting an I-9 audit, or an employee preparing for your first day, complete your Form I-9 accurately and download instantly — no registration required.