Handbook for Employers
Instructions for Completing Form I-9
(Employment Eligibility Verification Form)
M-274 (Rev. 04/03/09) N
Obtaining Form I-9
and the M-274
This Handbook includes one copy of Form I-9,
which may be photocopied. You may also down-
load a PDF version of the form from the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Web
site at www.uscis.gov. Should you wish to order
forms by telephone, call USCIS toll-free at 1-800-
870-3636.
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Table of Contents
Obtaining Form I-9 and the M-274 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside cover
Part One—Why Employers Must Verify Employment
Authorization and Identity of New Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Part Two—Completing Form I-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Part Three—Photocopying and Retaining Form I-9 . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Part Four—Unlawful Discrimination and Penalties for
Prohibited Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Part Five—Instructions for Recruiters and Referrers
for a Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Part Six—E-Verify: The Web-based Verification Companion
to Form I-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Part Seven—Some Questions You May Have About
Form I-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Part Eight—Acceptable Documents for Verifying
Employment Authorization and Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
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Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification . . . . .