Employers and employees must complete their respective sections of Form I-9. The form is used to document verification of the identity and employment authorization of each new employee (both U.S. citizen and noncitizen) hired after November 6, 1986, to work in the United States.
An I-9 form is not a background check.
Many employers conduct pre-employment background screenings to verify a candidate’s prior employment, education, references, criminal history, or driving record. This is different from employment eligibility verification.
Does everyone have to fill out an I-9 form?
All employers must complete and retain Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for every person they hire for employment after Nov. 6, 1986, in the U.S. as long as the person works for pay or other type of payment.
Is it mandatory to get an I-9 verification?
Federal law requires that every employer* who recruits, refers for a fee, or hires an individual for employment in the U.S. must complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Form I-9 will help you verify your employee’s identity and employment authorization.