I-9 Central

On May 13, 2011, USCIS launched I-9 Central, a new online resource center dedicated to the most frequently accessed form on USCIS.gov, Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification. This free website provides one-click access to various resources, tips and guidance on the completion of Form I-9 and on the Form I-9 process.

What Information is on I-9 Central?

I-9 Central includes sections about employer and employee rights and responsibilities, step-by-step instructions for completing the form, and information on acceptable documents for establishing identity and employment authorization. The site also includes a discussion of common mistakes when completing the form, guidance correcting errors, and answers to recent questions about the Form I-9 process.

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA)

Under the US Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), US employers must verify the identity and employment authorization for every worker hired after November 06, 1986, regardless of that employee’s immigration status. To comply with IRCA, employers must complete Form I-9.

Employees Hired On or Before November 6, 1986

Employees hired on or before November 6, 1986, and still in continuous employment, cannot be verified in e-Verify. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) does not allow US employers to complete Forms I-9 for these employees.  As a result, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) also excludes employees hired on or before November 6, 1986.

Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, is the basis for E-Verify. Since Form I-9 cannot be completed for these employees, employers cannot perform an E-Verify query on these employees.