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New I-9 Form: What Employers Need to Know U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services releases new I-9 Form to streamline and factor in remote document checks

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification (Expires 07/31/2026) which has been streamlined and shortened. 

The new form allows employers to implement alternative document examination procedures, such as remote document examination.  To participate in the remote examination of Form I-9, employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, examine and retain copies of all documents, conduct a live video call interaction with the employee, and create an E-Verify case if the employee is a new hire.

E-Verify is a free, easy-to-use web-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration. The system enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their employees. Current regulations for the Form I-9 require that, within three business days after the first day of employment, employers must physically examine the Form I-9 documentation presented by a new employees to ensure that the documentation appears to be genuine and related to the individual who presents it. To enroll in E-Verify, employers may go to this link. 

In addition to alternative document examination procedures, several modifications were made to the Form I-9 to make it easier for employers and employees to use.  The Form I-9 is now just one page and accessible on tablets and mobile devices.

The revised Form I-9:

• Reduces Sections 1 and 2 to a single-sided sheet;
• Is designed to be a fillable form on tablets and mobile devices;
• Moves the Section 1 Preparer/Translator Certification area to a separate, standalone supplement that employers can provide to employees when necessary;
• Moves Section 3, Reverification and Rehire, to a standalone supplement that employers can print if or when rehire occurs or reverification is required;
• The Lists of Acceptable Documents page now includes some acceptable receipts, as well as guidance and links to information on automatic extensions of employment authorization documentation;
• Includes a checkbox allowing employers to indicate they examined Form I-9 documentation remotely under a DHS-authorized alternative procedure rather than via physical examination; and
• Reduces Form instructions from 15 pages to 8 pages.

Starting Nov. 1, 2023, all employers must use the new Form I-9 or be subject to penalties.