Fill Form I-9 online
Employment Eligibility Verification
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Form I-9 in short
Form I-9 is how U.S. employers verify the identity and work authorization of every person they hire. The new employee fills in Section 1 and shows documents, and the employer checks them and fills in Section 2. The form is kept by the employer and is not sent to USCIS.
| Issued by | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
|---|---|
| Current version | Edition 01/20/25 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | Every new employee hired in the United States, citizens and noncitizens alike, together with the employer or the employer's authorized representative. |
| Who receives it | The employer keeps it. It is not filed with USCIS or ICE. Officials from DHS, the Department of Labor, or the Department of Justice may ask to inspect it. |
| Where to send it | Do not send it anywhere. The employer stores it for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. |
| Deadline | The employee completes Section 1 no later than the first day of employment. The employer completes Section 2 within three business days after the first day of employment. If the job lasts less than three business days, Section 2 is due by the first day. |
| Fee | $0. USCIS lists no fee for Form I-9 (Form G-1055 Fee Schedule, edition 10/16/26, checked 2026-10-25). |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
What changed
The current edition is 01/20/25 and shows an expiration date of 05/31/2027. USCIS says employers may also use the 08/01/23 edition with the 05/31/2027 expiration date. The 08/01/23 version that expired 07/31/2026 is past its listed validity, and employers using electronic I-9 systems had to update to the 05/31/2027 version by 07/31/2026.
How to fill out Form I-9, line by line
| Section 1 | Employee name and other last names used Enter your full legal last, first, and middle initial. List other last names you have used, or type N/A if none. |
| Section 1 | Address, date of birth, SSN, email, phone Give your current home address and date of birth. Your Social Security number is voluntary unless your employer uses E-Verify. Do not enter an ITIN as your SSN. |
| Section 1 | Citizenship or immigration status attestation Check one box: U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, lawful permanent resident, or noncitizen authorized to work. Permanent residents and authorized noncitizens add the requested number and, if it applies, a work authorization expiration date. |
| Section 1 | Employee signature and date Sign and date Section 1 by your first day of work. If you print the fillable PDF, sign it by hand. |
| Section 2 | Document title, issuing authority, number, expiration The employer records either one List A document, or one List B plus one List C document. The employee chooses which acceptable documents to show. |
| Section 2 | Alternative procedure checkbox Only for employers who examined documents remotely under a DHS-authorized alternative procedure. Leave it blank if you examined the documents in person. |
| Section 2 | First day of employment and employer certification Enter the employee's first day of work, then the employer representative's name, title, business name and address, signature, and date. |
| Supplement A | Preparer and/or translator certification Only needed if someone helped the employee fill in Section 1. Each helper completes and signs a block. |
| Supplement B | Reverification and rehire Used when work authorization or a document needs reverifying, or to record a rehire. Formerly called Section 3. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Employee completing Section 1 after the first day of work.
- Employer completing Section 2 later than three business days after the first day of work.
- Employer telling the employee which documents to bring, or asking for more documents than required. The instructions say the employee chooses.
- Recording a List A document and also List B and C documents. Use either one List A document or one from List B plus one from List C.
- Typing a signature into the fillable PDF. USCIS says this fillable form must be printed and signed by hand.
- Accepting expired documents. Documents must be unexpired, with limited receipt exceptions explained in the M-274 handbook.
- Sending the form to USCIS. It is kept by the employer and never filed.
Questions about Form I-9
Do I send Form I-9 to USCIS?
No. The employer keeps it on file and shows it only if authorized government officials ask to inspect it.
Is giving my Social Security number required?
It is voluntary in Section 1 unless your employer participates in E-Verify.
Which documents can I show?
Either one document from List A, or one from List B plus one from List C. The lists are on page 2 of the form, and you choose which ones to present.
Can I sign the fillable PDF electronically?
No. USCIS says the fillable PDF does not meet DHS standards for electronic I-9 systems, so print it and sign by hand.
How long does the employer keep Form I-9?
Three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later.
Is there a Spanish version?
Yes. Only employers in Puerto Rico may complete the Spanish form instead of the English one. Others may use it as a translation aid.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.