Glossary > Employment Law > Immigration And Work Authorization > Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)

Acceptable Documents For I-9 Verification

Acceptable documents for I-9 verification are forms of identification or work authorization documents that individuals must provide to their employer to establish their identity and eligibility to work legally in the United States.

Example #1

A U.S. Passport is an acceptable document for I-9 verification, as it proves both identity and work authorization.

Example #2

A Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is another acceptable document that establishes both identity and work eligibility.

Misuse

Misuse of I-9 documents can occur when an employer requests specific documents based on an individual's perceived national origin or citizenship status. This is illegal and discriminatory, as all individuals have the right to choose which valid documents to present for I-9 verification.

Benefits

Ensuring that only individuals authorized to work in the U.S. are employed benefits both the workers who may be vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, as well as the economy by upholding fair labor practices.

Conclusion

It is crucial to protect employees' rights by preventing discrimination or coercion in the I-9 verification process and ensuring that the documents requested are limited to those listed as acceptable by law.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024