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New I-9 Form and Changes to Acceptable Documents

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office (USCIS) has issued a modified version of Form I-9, which employers must complete to verify an employee's identity and authorization to work in this country. The most significant changes to the form are:

The list of documents an employer may accept to prove both an employee's identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. (called "List A Documents") has been shortened. For example, employers may no longer accept a certificate of U.S. citizenship or naturalization.
Employees may not be required to provide their Social Security numbers unless the employer participates in the E-Verify program. (E-Verify allows employers to verify employee eligibility electronically; participation in the program is voluntary.)

You can get a copy of the new Form I-9 and instructions from the USCIS website, at www.uscis.gov. Click on Immigration Forms and then the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9).