To verify employee eligibility for work, employers must obtain documents that confirm identity and authorization to work in the country. Commonly accepted documents include a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or a combination of a driver's license and Social Security card. Employers complete Form I-9 using these documents to ensure compliance with employment eligibility verification requirements.
Introduction to Employee Work Eligibility Verification
Verifying employee eligibility for work is a crucial step in the hiring process. Employers must ensure that new hires are legally authorized to work in the country.
You need to review specific documents to confirm work eligibility. Commonly accepted documents include a valid passport, permanent resident card, or employment authorization document. This verification helps maintain compliance with employment laws and prevents unauthorized employment.
Importance of Document Verification in Employment
Which documents are required to verify employee eligibility for work? Employers must confirm the authenticity of identification and work authorization documents to comply with legal employment standards. Proper document verification helps prevent unauthorized employment and protects the company from legal penalties.
Key Legal Requirements for Employee Eligibility
Employers must verify employee eligibility for work by reviewing specific documents that establish identity and employment authorization. Key legal requirements include presenting documents such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), or a combination of a driver's license and Social Security card. These documents are critical for completing the Form I-9, which ensures compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Commonly Accepted Work Eligibility Documents
Verifying employee eligibility for work requires submitting certain commonly accepted documents. These documents confirm identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card - Serves as proof of both identity and employment authorization for U.S. citizens.
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) - Demonstrates lawful permanent residency and authorization to work in the U.S.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) - Issued by USCIS, this card grants temporary permission to work for eligible non-citizens.
Understanding Form I-9 and Its Role
Form I-9 is a critical document used to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States. Employers must complete this form for every new hire to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The form requires employees to present acceptable identification documents that establish both identity and employment authorization. Common documents include a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or a combination of a driver's license and social security card.
Acceptable List A, B, and C Documents
To verify employee eligibility for work, employers must review acceptable documents from List A or a combination of List B and List C as outlined by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). List A documents establish both identity and employment authorization, including a U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card. List B documents establish identity, such as a driver's license, while List C documents establish employment authorization, like a Social Security card.
Verification Process: Employer Responsibilities
Employers must verify the eligibility of each employee to work in the United States by completing Form I-9. This form requires reviewing specific documents that establish identity and employment authorization.
You are responsible for examining acceptable documents such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or employment authorization document. The verification process involves physically inspecting the documents to ensure they appear genuine and relate to the employee.
Avoiding Discrimination in Document Requests
Employers must verify employee eligibility for work by requesting appropriate documents without discriminating based on nationality or citizenship status. It is important to follow legal guidelines to ensure all employees are treated fairly during the verification process.
- Treat All Employees Equally - Request the same types of documents from every applicant to avoid discriminatory practices.
- Accept Any Valid Documents - Employers must accept any valid form of identification from the approved List of Acceptable Documents for work eligibility verification.
- Avoid Specifying Certain Documents - Do not demand specific documents from employees as this can lead to unlawful discrimination based on national origin or citizenship.
Handling Document Expiration and Reverification
Verifying employee eligibility for work requires specific documents that confirm identity and employment authorization. Employers must handle document expiration and reverification carefully to maintain compliance with legal requirements.
- Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) - This form requires employees to present documents proving identity and work authorization.
- Acceptable Documents - Documents such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) are commonly used for verification.
- Document Expiration and Reverification - Employers must reverify work authorization before the expiration date of temporary work authorization documents.
Proper management of document expiration and timely reverification ensures ongoing compliance and prevents unlawful employment.
Which Documents Are Needed to Verify Employee Eligibility for Work? Infographic
