New I-9 Form In Effect September 18th

In July of 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an updated version of Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). Under federal law, every employer that recruits, refers for a fee or hires an individual for employment in the United States must complete a Form I-9. While there has been a grace period for transitioning to the new version of the form, the updated version must be used beginning September 18, 2018.

Form I-9 consists of three sections: the first is completed by the employee, the second by the employer, and the third only when rehire, re-verification or name changes apply. The updates include revisions to the instructions and to the list of acceptable documents, but the substantive requirements of completing Form I-9 are unchanged.

Regarding the instructions, the changes are minor: the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices is now referred to by its new name, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section; and the words “the end of” have been removed from “the first day of employment.”

The revisions to the list of acceptable documents are more complex, and are summarized here:

  • The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) has been added to List C, and will be available on the dropdown list for employers filling out Form I-9 by computer
  • Three certifications of report of birth issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545, From DS-1350 and Form FS-240) been combined into a single selection in List C
  • The USCIS has renumbered all List C documents except the Social Security card

Employers should familiarize themselves with the new version of the form and remember that while the form has changed, the requirements for its completion have not. The new Form I-9 may be downloaded from the USCIS website.

Questions about the new Form I-9 or other benefits issues? Contact Consolidated Insurance.