by Mark Cobb

Last Friday, the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published a new, updated Form I-9.  This new form can be used immediately, although some of the older forms will be accepted by the USCIS until May 7, 2013.  After May 7, all employers must use the new Form I-9.  If you need a copy of the new Form I-9, please click here.

For more information on this new form and employment eligibility verification in general, please click here.

The new form has greatly expanded the instructions for completing the form in order to address some of the frequently asked questions; in addition, the form has been expanded from 1 page to 2 pages to allow more spaces for the information and to make the form more user-friendly.

If you need assistance in completing the new Form I-9, please contact Mark Cobb, an experienced construction lawyer directly at 770-886-5890 ext.2 or by clicking here.

According to the website maintained by USCIS, “Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers must ensure proper completion of Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and noncitizens. Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form. On the form, an employee must attest to his or her employment authorization. The employee must also present his or her employer with acceptable documents evidencing identity and employment authorization. The employer must examine the employment eligibility and identity document(s) an employee presents to determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee and record the document information on the Form I-9. The list of acceptable documents can be found on the last page of the form. Employers must retain Form I-9 for a designated period and make it available for inspection by authorized government officers.