New I-9 Announced

The US Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced the release of a new for I-9 today. All employers in the US use this form to verify an employee’s identity and eligibility to work. A draft of the new form was released about a year ago and the USCIS received numerous comments on the form. It was thought that the release of the new form had been delayed not only due to the many comments but also to see if comprehensive immigration reform would move through Congress. While many discussions on a framework and goals have been floated, nothing concrete has been proposed and the USCIS released the new form this morning.

The new I-9 can be used immediately but older forms may be used until May 7, 2013. After May 7, you must us only the new I-9 for new hires. The old forms expired in 2012 and has a revision date of 8/7/09. The NEW I-9 has a revision date of (Rev. 03/08/13). More information on the new I-9 can be found at www.uscis.gov/I-9Central.

The website and form are NOT live at this point and I will update the blog and link as they are updated.

The new I-9 expands the form to 2 pages and includes a few additional fields such as an employee’s foreign passport information if applicable and email address. There are also revised instructions and revised document lists.

Again, you may use the old form only until May 7, then you must use the new I-9. We will update you as more details become available but as we discussed at the August Meetings, the new form would be coming and we’d let you know as soon as possible.

DSF