On July 17, 2017, the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced the release of a new version of the Form I-9. The Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. This includes both citizens and noncitizens. Both the employee and the employer must complete this form. The form asks an employee to attest to his or her employment authorization. The employee must also present his or her employer with acceptable documents which prove both the employee’s identity and employment authorization.
The new version of the form does not have sweeping, substantive changes; instead the changes are primarily re-naming and re-numbering. However, a key part of this transition is that until September 17, 2017, employers could use either (1) the new Form I-9 (revised 7/17/17), or (2) the previous Form I-9 (revised 11/14/16). However, on and after September 18, 2017, employers must use the recently revised Form I-9 with the revision date of 7/17/17, as no other version will be accepted.
Fortunately, the good news is that this new version will not require employers to redo all previously completed Form I-9’s. The new version will only be required for hirings from September 18, 2017, onward.
A copy of the new Form I-9 can be found on the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. The attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly can help keep your business up to date on all employment forms, requirements, and other employment compliance matters.