Fill Out Form I-9 in 2026

Confirm a new hire's identity and legal right to work in the U.S., then sign where allowed and download your record for hiring files.

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How to fill out an I-9 Form

Follow the steps below and finish with no guesswork.

1

Open the blank form

Access the pre-loaded Form I-9 directly in our editor, no upload needed.

2

Fill in the details

Enter your name, address, date of birth, and citizenship attestation details.

3

Download as PDF

Save your completed Form I-9 as a PDF file, ready to download and use.

What is an I-9 Form?

Form I-9 is a federal form that every U.S. employer must complete for each new hire. Employers use Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of workers hired in the United States. The employee attests to work eligibility and presents identification documents, while the employer reviews and records that information. This process protects lawful workers and helps employers stay compliant with federal immigration law by preventing the hiring of individuals who are not authorized to work.

Key Takeaways

  • Form I-9 verifies new hire work eligibility
  • Employers and employees both complete sections
  • Employees must present valid ID documents

What is an I-9 Form used for?

Employers use this form to confirm that a new hire can legally work in the United States. It does this by:

  • Verifying the worker's identity and employment authorization with approved I-9 documents
  • Preventing the hiring or referral of anyone not authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Creating an official record that backs up each hiring decision
  • Staying on file for review by DHS, DOL, or DOJ if requested

What information is required on an I-9 Form?

  • Last Name (Family Name), First Name (Given Name), Middle Initial, and Other Last Names Used

    Enter your legal last name, first name, middle initial, and any other last names you've used.

  • Address (Street Number and Name), Apt. Number, City or Town, State, and ZIP Code

    Enter your complete mailing address, including apartment number if you have one.

  • Date of Birth and U.S. Social Security Number

    Enter your date of birth, and your Social Security number if your employer uses E-Verify.

  • Attestation Checkbox (Citizenship/Immigration Status)

    Check the box that matches your citizenship or immigration status, adding document numbers if required.

  • Employee Signature and Date

    Sign and date Section 1 yourself, without entering a date earlier than today.

  • Preparer and/or Translator Certification

    Have anyone who helped you complete Section 1 sign, date, and print their name here.

  • Document Title, Issuing Authority, Document Number, and Expiration Date

    The employer enters details from the List A, B, or C documents you present.

  • Employer/Authorized Representative Signature, Title, Date, and Business Name/Address

    The employer signs, dates, and adds their title and business information to certify review.

When is a Form I-9 due?

Section 1 is due no later than the employee's first day of employment. The employer must finish Section 2 within three business days of that start date. If the job lasts fewer than three business days, both sections are due on the first day of employment.

Complete your I-9 Form here

Open Form I-9 here, fill in each section, and download your completed copy when you're ready to move forward.

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When is an I-9 not required?

You skip the form when employment started before Nov. 6, 1986 and continues without a break, or work began in the CNMI before Nov. 27, 2009. It's also not required for occasional domestic work in a private home, for contractors and staffing-agency workers whose own employer files the paperwork, or for anyone not physically working inside the U.S.

What does a I-9 form look like

Frequently asked questions

If your organization takes part in E-Verify, you can use the DHS alternative procedure for remote hires. The employee completes Section 1, then within three business days, an examiner reviews the original documents over a live video call, checks that they look genuine, and completes Section 2 with a note that the alternative procedure was used. If your organization does not use E-Verify, this remote option is not available. You must arrange for an authorized representative to meet the employee in person and check the original documents.

No. Every document shown for Form I-9, including a U.S. Passport or Passport Card, must be unexpired at the time the form is completed. If a passport has expired, the employee needs to present a different unexpired document instead.

An employee can present one document from List A, which proves both identity and work authorization, such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or Employment Authorization Document. Or they can present one document from List B for identity, like a driver's license, together with one document from List C for work authorization, like a Social Security card. Every document must be original and unexpired, except for certified copies of birth certificates.

An authorized representative can be almost anyone you choose to complete Section 2 on your behalf, including a personnel officer, notary public, or another agent acting for your organization. Keep in mind that you remain responsible for any mistakes or violations the representative makes while checking documents or filling out the form.
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