New Form I-9 employment verification form goes into effect

Employers will have to use a new version of Form I-9 to verify whether a person can legally work in the country. The new Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) must be used for all new hires and employment authorization reversals.

The updated form went into effect yesterday, May 7. Effective immediately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept previous versions of Form I-9.

The revision date for the new Form I-9 is March 8, 2013. That date is printed in the lower left-hand corner of the form. Employers will not have to complete a new Form I-9 for existing employees if they have a previously completed form on file.

There is an updated Spanish version of Form I-9 on the USCIS website, but it can only be used in Puerto Rico. Within the United States and its territories, the Spanish version can be used for reference only, as the Form I-9 must be completed in English.

Every employer is required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each person on its U.S. payroll.

Updated forms are available online at www.uscis.gov/I-9.

For more information, you can call USCIS at 888-464-4218 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.