USCIS List of Acceptable Documents for Employment Verification

What documents do you need to prove your eligibility to work in the U.S.? The list of acceptable documents for employment verification under the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is crucial for anyone who is beginning a job in the United States. This is because every employer is required to complete Form I-9 for each employee, which verifies the individual's identity and their authorization to work. The form itself requires you to submit specific documentation that falls into three categories: List A, List B, and List C.

The challenge here isn’t just gathering the right documents, but understanding what qualifies under these lists. Not all documents will suffice, and certain documents alone won’t meet the requirements. The stakes are high because an incomplete Form I-9 can lead to employment complications, fines for the employer, and even job loss for the employee.

But let’s break it down in a way that makes sense. List A documents establish both your identity and employment authorization, meaning that any one of these documents will be sufficient on its own. For example, a U.S. Passport is an ideal List A document because it proves both who you are and that you're authorized to work.

Then, there are List B documents, which prove your identity only. For these, think of documents like a state-issued driver’s license or an ID card with a photograph. However, to complete the I-9 form, you'll also need to provide a List C document, which establishes your employment authorization.

Let’s dive deeper into these categories:

List A Documents:

• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
• Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp or printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa
• Employment Authorization Document (Card Form I-766) with a photograph
• Passport from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) or the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) with Form I-94 indicating nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free Association Between the U.S. and the FSM or RMI

List B Documents:

• Driver’s license or ID card issued by a state or outlying U.S. possession with a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address
• ID card issued by federal, state, or local government agencies with similar identifying features
• School ID card with a photograph
• Voter’s registration card
• U.S. military card or draft record

List C Documents:

• A Social Security Account Number card, unless it says "Not valid for employment"
• Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or territory of the U.S. bearing an official seal
• Native American tribal document
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card (Form I-197)
• Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The intersection between these documents is where confusion can often arise. For instance, some people think their driver’s license is enough to meet the Form I-9 requirements, but without pairing it with a List C document like a Social Security card, it’s incomplete.

Employers and employees alike should also be aware of certain exceptions and caveats. For example, minors under 18, employees in remote hiring situations, or citizens of certain non-U.S. territories may be subject to additional or different documentation guidelines.

Additionally, it’s not just enough to submit these documents. Employers are obligated to physically examine the authenticity of these documents. This means they must review the documents in person, rather than just accepting photocopies, to ensure that they appear genuine and relate to the employee presenting them. Employers may retain copies of these documents, but they are not required to do so by law.

To simplify things further, here’s a table that outlines the document categories:

Category	Examples	Purpose
List A Documents	U.S. Passport, Permanent Resident Card, Foreign Passport with I-94	Proves identity and work authorization
List B Documents	Driver’s License, Military ID, School ID	Proves identity only
List C Documents	Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Native American Tribal Document	Proves work authorization only

One other aspect to keep in mind is the expiration dates of documents. Some List A documents, like Employment Authorization Cards, come with expiration dates. When they expire, they no longer serve as valid proof of work authorization, and the employee may need to provide new documentation.

Why does this matter? Compliance with I-9 documentation requirements isn’t just a formality. The Department of Homeland Security conducts audits, and businesses found to be non-compliant can face hefty fines. For employees, failure to provide the correct documents can result in termination or delays in starting a new job.

Lastly, the digital landscape has changed things. More employers are moving toward electronic verification systems, such as E-Verify, which checks the validity of documents against government databases. However, E-Verify is not a substitute for Form I-9 but rather a complement. Participation in E-Verify is also voluntary for most employers, although some federal contractors are required to use it.

In conclusion, navigating the USCIS list of acceptable documents for employment verification can seem daunting, but understanding the purpose of each category can streamline the process. Whether you're an employer ensuring compliance or an employee ensuring your eligibility, knowing which documents you need—and how to handle them—will help avoid unnecessary complications.

2222:Immigration and Employment Documents