I-9 form revision requires unexpired documents
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The most significant change in the latest revision of the I-9 form is the requirement that all acceptable documents must be unexpired, including the U.S. passport.
However, although identity documents, such as a driver’s license, may expire, they need not be reverified, as long as the employee stays with the same employer. Only employment authorization needs to be reverified upon or before the document’s expiration date. The employee may present any eligible document for reverification. The current revision of the I-9 form must be used for reverification purposes, e.g., if an employee’s work authorization has expired or he or she is rehired after a new version of the I-9 form is in place.
Revision February 2, 2009, of the I-9 form must be used, starting April 3, 2009. It is available in English and Spanish. But only employers and employees in Puerto Rico may fill out the Spanish version. Spanish-speaking employers and employees in the 50 states and other U.S. territories may print the Spanish version for their reference, but must use the English version to meet employment eligibility verification requirements.
In section 2, Employer Review and Verification, a number of documents were added to List A, documents that establish both identity and employment authorization, including the new U.S. passport card. Also, an additional document was added to List C, documents that establish employment authorization.
Additional Information
The revised I-9 form is available at the Employment Eligibility Verification web page (http://www.uscis.gov/i-9) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis). Additional information on how to fill out the I-9 form, penalties for unlawful discrimination or employment, as well as document fraud, and examples of acceptable employee documents are available in the Handbook for Employers (M274). The Handbook for Employers is linked on the I-9 web page and can be downloaded as a PDF file (65 pages). I-9 forms and M274 Handbooks can also be requested by calling USCIS toll-free at 1-800-870-3636.
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