How to fill out an I-9 form

What the I-9 is for

The Form I-9, officially the Employment Eligibility Verification form from USCIS, is how employers confirm that the people they hire are authorized to work in the United States. Every employer must complete an I-9 for each new hire, and every new employee takes part in it. It is not a tax form and it does not go to the IRS. Employers keep it on file and must be able to produce it if asked.

The form has two main sides. The employee completes their section, and the employer completes theirs after reviewing the employee's documents. There are also supplements for specific situations, such as when someone helps the employee fill out the form or when work authorization is reverified later.

Who completes which section

It helps to be clear on the split before you start, because filling in the wrong section is a common error.

• The employee completes the first section with their personal information and attestation about their work status. This is done no later than the first day of work.
• The employer completes the next section after examining the employee's identity and work authorization documents in person or through the allowed process. There is a deadline for this after the start date.
• A preparer or translator completes a supplement only if someone other than the employee helped fill out the employee section.

So if you are a new hire asking how to fill it out, your focus is the employee section. Your employer handles the review and their own section.

Before you start

Always use the current official version of the form. USCIS updates the I-9 and expects the current edition, so download it from the USCIS website, or open the USCIS Form I-9 in our library to fill it in directly. An expired edition may not be accepted.

As the employee, have your documents ready. The form comes with a list of acceptable documents, sorted into those that prove both identity and work authorization, those that prove identity only, and those that prove work authorization only. You provide either one document from the combined list, or one from each of the other two lists. Check the current official list rather than relying on memory, because it can change.

The employee section step by step

The employee section asks for straightforward personal details plus an attestation. In general terms it covers:

• Your full legal name, including other names used if any, and your date of birth.
• Your address and contact details as requested on the form.
• Your attestation of status, where you indicate your basis for being authorized to work, following the categories printed on the current form.
• Your signature and date, which make the attestation official. The section is not complete without it.

Because the exact categories and any additional fields can change between editions, follow the wording and instructions on this year's official form rather than an old description. Fill in every field that applies to you and do not leave the attestation or signature blank.

The employer section in brief

After you complete your part, your employer examines your documents and records information about them in their section, then signs and dates it within the required timeframe. As the employee you do not fill this in, but it is useful to know it exists so you understand why your employer asks to see your original documents. Employers should follow the current official instructions closely, since this section is where many compliance mistakes happen.

Fill out the I-9 online step by step

You do not have to print the form and write on it by hand. You can complete your section on screen.

1. Open the USCIS Form I-9 or drop your copy into the fill a PDF tool. The file loads in your browser and is not uploaded.
2. Type your personal details into the employee section. Use Tab to move between fields.
3. Complete the attestation by selecting the category that matches your situation, following the form's own wording.
4. Add your signature by drawing, typing, or uploading it, then place it and enter the date.
5. Click Download and provide the form and your documents to your employer, who completes their section.

Common I-9 mistakes to avoid

• Using an outdated edition. Always start from the current official form, since old editions may be rejected.
• Leaving fields blank. Complete every field that applies, and do not skip the attestation or signature.
• Missing the timing. The employee section is due by the first day of work, and the employer section has its own deadline after that. Check the current dates in the official instructions.
• Confusing the sections. Employees complete their part only. The employer reviews documents and completes theirs.

Keep your I-9 private

The I-9 carries your name, address, date of birth, and details about your work authorization, which is sensitive information. Many online form tools upload your file to process it. Our fill tool works in your browser, so the completed form stays on your device until you hand it to your employer. If you would like to add or refine your signature separately, you can also sign the PDF the same private way. That keeps personal details out of places they do not belong.

Supplements and later updates

The I-9 comes with supplements for particular situations, and it is worth knowing they exist even if you do not need them. One supplement is for a preparer or translator, used when someone helps the employee complete their section. Another is used later, when an employer needs to reverify work authorization that has an expiration or record a rehire. As a new employee you usually only touch the main employee section, but if someone helps you fill it in, they complete the preparer supplement so the form shows who assisted.

Some employers also take part in electronic verification programs after the I-9 is complete. That is a separate step the employer handles using the information on the form. It does not change how you fill out your own section, but it is a reason your employer needs your details to be accurate and legible.

A note on getting it right

This guide explains what the I-9 asks and how to complete your part, but it is general information and not legal advice. Immigration and employment rules are detailed and change over time. If you are unsure which documents to present, how to complete the attestation, or which edition to use, rely on the current official USCIS instructions or speak with a qualified professional. When in doubt, use the current official form and follow its own directions, which are written to match the current rules.

A quick recap

The I-9 confirms that a new hire is authorized to work in the United States. As the employee you complete the first section with your details, choose the status category that fits you, and sign, all by your first day of work. Your employer reviews your documents and completes their section within the allowed window. Use the current official USCIS form, have your acceptable documents ready, fill in every field that applies, and keep the form private on your own device until you hand it over. If anything is unclear, lean on the official instructions or a professional, and the I-9 becomes a simple, routine step in starting a new job.