Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification: What It Is and How to Complete It Online

If you’re hiring new employees in the United States, completing the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification is not optional—it’s a legal requirement. This federal form helps confirm that every new hire is authorized to work in the U.S., protecting your business from compliance issues and potential penalties.

In this post, we’ll explain what Form I-9 is, why it matters, and how you can easily fill it out online using a simple tool like FormFiller.us.

What Is Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification?

Form I-9, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, is a government-required document used to verify two things:

• The employee’s identity
• The employee’s authorization to work in the United States

Both the employer and the employee must complete different sections of the form within strict federal deadlines. Employers must retain the completed form and make it available for inspection by government agencies upon request.

Who Needs to Complete Form I-9?

Every employer in the United States must complete Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for each employee hired after November 6, 1986. This includes:

• Full-time and part-time employees
• U.S. citizens
• Non-citizens with legal work authorization

Independent contractors do not need to complete Form I-9, but employers should always consult legal counsel for unique situations.

When Should Form I-9 Be Completed?

Timing is crucial:

• Section 1 (Employee Section): Must be completed by the employee on or before their first day of work.
• Section 2 (Employer Section): Must be completed by the employer within three business days of the employee’s start date.

Employers are responsible for physically reviewing the employee’s original documents to verify their authenticity.

What Documents Are Required for Form I-9?

Employees must present original documents from the official I-9 document lists:

• List A: Documents that establish both identity and employment authorization (e.g., U.S. Passport, Permanent Resident Card).
• Or
• One document from List B (Identity) such as a driver’s license,
  and one from List C (Employment Authorization) such as a Social Security card.

Employers must record the document details on Form I-9 and certify that they reviewed them in person.

Can Form I-9 Be Completed Online?

Yes. Completing Form I-9 online is not only allowed but often preferred by many businesses to reduce errors and simplify storage.

Using an online I-9 form tool like FormFiller.us, employers and employees can:

• Easily fill out each section
• Minimize mistakes with guided instructions
• Download and print a compliant, ready-to-sign PDF copy
• Store forms digitally for easier recordkeeping

👉 Start Completing Your Form I-9 Online Now

What Happens After Completing Form I-9?

After both parties complete and sign the form:

• Employers must retain the Form I-9 for three years after the hire date or one year after the employee leaves the company, whichever is later.
• The form must be available for inspection by federal agencies like ICE, DHS, or the DOJ if requested.

Risks of Not Completing Form I-9 Properly

Failure to comply with Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification requirements can result in:

• Civil fines
• Criminal penalties for knowingly hiring unauthorized workers
• Potential loss of business licenses

Employers should perform regular internal audits of their I-9 forms to stay compliant.

How to Fill Out Form I-9 Easily Online

Instead of dealing with confusing paper forms, you can streamline the process using a simple online I-9 form generator like FormFiller.us.

This tool walks you through each step, ensuring all required fields are filled out accurately. Once done, you can instantly download a professional, printable copy.

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Final Thoughts

Completing Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification is a critical part of legally onboarding new employees. By understanding your responsibilities and using online tools like FormFiller.us, you can ensure compliance and avoid costly mistakes.

If you’re ready to simplify the process, get started here:
👉 Start Your Form I-9 Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

What is Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification?

Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification is a federal document required by the U.S. government to confirm an employee’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. Employers must complete this form for every new hire.

Who must complete Form I-9?

Every employer in the United States must complete Form I-9 for each person they hire, including U.S. citizens and non-citizens authorized to work in the U.S. Independent contractors do not require Form I-9.

When is Form I-9 due?

Employees must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on or before their first day of employment. Employers must complete Section 2 within three business days after the employee’s start date.

What documents are required for Form I-9?

Employees must present original, unexpired documents from the official I-9 document lists. This includes either one document from List A (identity and work authorization) or one document each from List B (identity) and List C (work authorization).

Can Form I-9 be completed online?

Yes, employers and employees can complete and sign Form I-9 electronically as long as the system meets federal guidelines for integrity, accessibility, and auditability. You can use an online I-9 form tool like FormFiller.us for fast, accurate completion.

How long should employers keep Form I-9 on file?

Employers must retain Form I-9 for each employee for either three years after the date of hire or one year after the employee leaves the company, whichever is later.

Do I need to submit Form I-9 to the government?

No, employers are not required to submit Form I-9 to any government agency unless requested during an audit or inspection. However, the completed forms must be available for review by federal authorities if requested.

What happens if I fail to complete Form I-9?

Employers who fail to properly complete, retain, or make Form I-9 available for inspection can face serious penalties, including fines and other legal action.

Where can I fill out Form I-9 online?

You can complete and download a legally compliant Form I-9 quickly using this online tool:
/forms/i-9/