Ask HR with Sheila McKinley-Bell

Welcome to: ASK HR. Each issue will include answers to your questions regarding a variety of human resourcesrelated topics to help you with some of the pressing needs of your business. Our expert is fellow member, Sheila McKinley-Bell of Shoreline HR Consulting, www.shorelinehr.com . Please feel free to let us know what questions are on your mind.

Today’s question is: What is an I-9 form, and does it apply to my business?

Answer: All employers in the United States must have their employees complete an I-9 form. I-9 is short for Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Form I-9 and is known as the Employment Eligibility Verification form. It is published by the Department of Homeland

Security (DHS) via the United States Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is a way for employers to document the fact that they are hiring only persons authorized to work in the United States.

Employees must complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by the end of their first day of work for pay. Section 2 must be completed by the employer within the following 3 days of employee’s first day of work for pay (by end of day 4).

The I-9 form has been revised effective 8/1/2023. The prior version of the form with a revision date of 10/21/2019 may be used through October 31, 2023. Effective November 1, 2023 all employers must begin using the new version of the I-9 form with the revision date of 8/1/2023.

To order new forms and/or obtain more information, employers may access the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/forms or by calling 800-870-3676 or 888-464-4218.

Sheila can be reached online at sheila@ shorelinehr.com or by phone at 860-256-9881.