Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification
The official USCIS form, unchanged. Free to download, with no sign-up and no email address.
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Check the USCIS Form I-9 page before use to confirm this edition is still accepted.
What is Form I-9?
Form I-9 is the form US employers use to verify the identity and employment authorization of every person they hire for employment in the United States. The employee attests to their status in Section 1 and shows documents; the employer examines the documents and completes Section 2. The form is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Deadlines
| Part | Who completes it | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Employee Information and Attestation | The employee | No later than the first day of employment, but not before accepting a job offer. |
| Section 2: Employer Review and Verification | The employer or its authorized representative | Within three business days after the employee’s first day of employment. If the job lasts less than three business days, on the first day. |
What is in the form
| Part | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Section 1 | The employee’s details and attestation of citizenship or immigration status. |
| Section 2 | The employer records the documents examined and certifies the review. |
| Lists of Acceptable Documents | List A (identity and employment authorization), List B (identity) and List C (employment authorization). |
| Supplement A | Preparer and/or Translator Certification for Section 1. |
| Supplement B | Reverification and Rehire. |
How to complete Form I-9
- Give the form, the Lists of Acceptable Documents and the USCIS instructions (a separate document) to the new hire once they have accepted the job offer.
- The employee completes and signs Section 1 by their first day of employment.
- The employee presents one document from List A, or one from List B together with one from List C. The employee chooses which documents to present.
- The employer examines the documents and completes and signs Section 2 within three business days after the first day of employment.
- Keep the completed form on file. Do not send it to USCIS or ICE.
How to e-sign Form I-9 with QuickSigner
- Upload the Form I-9 PDF to QuickSigner. On the free plan, type in the details first. On a paid plan you can place text, checkbox and date fields so the employee completes Section 1 while signing.
- Add the employee’s email, place a signature field in Section 1 and send. The employee signs from a secure link on any device, without an account.
- After you have examined the employee’s documents, complete Section 2 and sign it the same way, within three business days after the first day of employment.
QuickSigner’s signing process meets the electronic-signature requirements of 8 CFR § 274a.2. The employer remains responsible for examining the employee’s documents and keeping the form. The free plan covers 5 documents a month.
Form I-9 FAQs
How long must an employer keep Form I-9?
For three years after the date of hire, or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. The employer must be able to present the forms within three business days of an inspection request. See the USCIS Handbook for Employers, section 10.
Can Form I-9 be completed and signed electronically?
Yes, but only on a system that meets the Department of Homeland Security’s requirements in 8 CFR § 274a.2. Among other things, the system must have the signer acknowledge that they read the attestation, attach the signature at the time of the transaction, create a record verifying the signer’s identity, restrict access to authorized people, and keep a secure record of every access and change. QuickSigner’s signing process meets these requirements. The employer remains responsible for examining the employee’s documents and retaining the form.
Do I file Form I-9 with the government?
No. Employers keep Form I-9 and make it available for inspection. USCIS says never to mail it to USCIS or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Is Form I-9 needed for independent contractors?
No. Form I-9 is only for employees. For a US independent contractor, the form you normally collect is Form W-9.
Is this the official form?
Yes. It is the USCIS form, edition 01/20/25, with no changes. The form is free from USCIS.
Related templates
- Form W-9, for contractors
- NDA template
- Office memo template
- eSignature API for HR onboarding, to send new-hire documents from your HR system
This page is general information, not legal advice. QuickSigner is not affiliated with USCIS or the Department of Homeland Security. For questions about your situation, consult the USCIS instructions or an immigration attorney.
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