New I-9 Form Released to Certify Employment Eligibility

 The new I-9 form released by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the past few weeks includes a collection of “improvements” to the form, including additional fields, error-reducing reformatting, and more clear instructions. A notice published by the Department of Homeland Security has sought to inform employers that they are requested to immediately begin using the new I-9 form for all new hires and re-verifications. Though employers are still allowed to continue using other accepted revision forms until May 7, 2013, employers must use only the latest form beginning after that date.

The following is a more detailed rundown of the changes to the I-9:

• The form has been lengthened to two pages due to the addition of new fields.

• Section 1 of the form includes new fields adding space for foreign passport information, and optional phone numbers and email addresses. A new notice is also provided alerting employees that mismatched information between the form and data collected by the Department of Homeland Security may result in a direct contact. There are also currently unexplained 3D barcode boxes on both pages.

• More detailed completion instructions are included with the new I-9, such as when a Social Security card can or cannot be used to establish employment authorization.

A Spanish-language version is available for employers and employees in Puerto Rico while Spanish-speaking employers and employees in the U.S. are required to complete the English version, using the Spanish version for reference only.