An I-9 form, officially called the Employment Eligibility Verification form, is used by employers in the United States to verify the identity and legal authorization of individuals hired for employment. It ensures that employees are legally permitted to work in the U.S., including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and noncitizens authorized to work
. Employers must complete and retain a Form I-9 for every person they hire after November 6, 1986, regardless of citizenship status. The employee fills out the first section of the form and provides acceptable documents proving identity and work authorization. The employer then reviews these documents, completes the second section, and keeps the form on file
. Form I-9 is mandatory for all W-2 employees but is not required for volunteers, independent contractors, or unpaid interns. Employers must complete the form within three days of the employee’s first day of work and retain it for inspection by government authorities if requested
. In summary, an I-9 form is used to verify and document that an employee is legally authorized to work in the United States, helping employers comply with federal immigration laws and avoid penalties for hiring unauthorized workers
