What does Form I-9 verify for employees?

Form I-9, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification form, is primarily used to verify an employee's legal immigration status in the United States. When an employer hires an individual, they must complete this form as part of the onboarding process. The purpose of Form I-9 is to ensure that the employee is authorized to work in the U.S. by confirming that they possess the necessary documentation that proves their identity and eligibility for employment.

To complete Form I-9, employees must present one of the acceptable forms of identification or a combination of documents that validate both their identity and their legal status to work in the country. These documents may include a U.S. passport, a permanent resident card, or various other forms of identification that establish both identity and work authorization.

This focus on verifying legal immigration status differentiates Form I-9 from the other options presented. For instance, while tax status, employment history, and criminal background checks might be relevant in the context of employment, they are not the purpose of the I-9 form. Form I-9 is solely concerned with establishing that an employee can lawfully work in the U.S., making it a critical component of employment law compliance for employers.