USCIS published a notice in the Federal Register on Nov. 24, 2015, to inform the public of proposed changes to Form I9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The public may provide comments on the proposed changes for 60 days, until Jan. 25, 2015.

Many of the proposed changes to Form I9 are intended to help reduce technical errors and help customers complete the form on their computer after they have downloaded it from uscis.gov. For instance, the form:

  • Checks certain fields to ensure information is entered correctly;
  • Provides additional spaces to enter multiple preparers and translators;
  • Includes dropdown lists and calendars;
  • Provides instructions on the screen that users can access to complete each field;
  • Includes buttons that will allow users to access the instructions electronically, print the form and clear the form to start over;
  • Provides a dedicated area to enter additional information that employers are currently required to notate in the margins of the form; and
  • Will generate a quickresponse matrix barcode, or QR code, once the form is printed and can be used to streamline audit processes.

Other proposed changes include:

  • Requiring employees to provide only other last names used in Section 1, rather than all other names used;
  • Streamlining the certification in Section 1 for certain foreign nationals; and
  • Separating the instructions from the form to bring the form in line with USCIS' practices.

Submit a Comment

To view the proposed form and instructions, go to the Form I¬9 notice at www.regulations.gov. To submit a comment, enter USCIS20060068 in the search box and click the "Comment Now!" button. After completing all the necessary fields, click "Submit Comment."

After the 60-day period

After the 60-day period ends, USCIS may make changes to the form based on comments received and will publish a second notice in the Federal Register. The public will have an additional 30 days to provide comments on proposed changes. USCIS will notify the public about these comment periods on I9 Central.

Which Form Should I Use?

Employers must complete Form I9 for all newly hired employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States. The current version of Form I9 is available on USCIS' online I9 resource center at www.uscis.gov/I9central. Employers must continue to use the current version of For I9 until the Office of Management and Budget approve the proposed version and USCIS posts it on I9 Central.

I9 Central includes information about employer and employee rights and responsibilities, step-by-step instructions for completing the form, and information on acceptable documents for establishing identity and employment authorization.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.