A new version of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form has been issued, use of which will become mandatory on May 1, 2020.  Through April 30, 2020, employers may elect to use the previous edition or the new replacement form. Employers do not need to complete the new Form I-9 for current employees who have a properly completed Form I-9 on file, unless reverification is necessary.

The I-9 form is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.  All U.S. employers must properly complete the Form I-9 for each person they hire for employment in the U.S., including both citizens and noncitizens.  Employers must retain the completed forms for a designated period and make them available for inspection when called upon to do so.

The new Form I-9, which is identified as the 10/21/19 version, lists additional countries in the Country of Issuance filed in Section 1, among other minor changes visible only when completing the electronic version of the form, including the following changes: 

• Clarifies who can act as an authorized representative on behalf of an employer
• Updates USCIS website addresses
• Provides acceptable document clarifications
• Updates the process for requesting the paper Form I-9
• Updates the DHS Privacy Notice

Employers can download the new Form I-9 from www.uscis.gov/​i-9.  If you have questions regarding the changes to the Form I-9, please contact any one of our team of employment law attorneys.

And don’t forget about these other important changes for employers in 2020:

• Department of Labor Overtime Rule Change, effective January 1, 2020
• New Form W-4 for 2020, effective January 1, 2020