Current Form I-9 Version: Which Edition to Use
Make sure you are using the right Form I-9 edition before July 31, 2026.
Using the wrong Form I-9 edition is an easy mistake to make, and it can cause real problems during a government inspection. This page tells you exactly which version is current, which older version is still allowed, and which printing you must stop using after a key 2026 deadline.
Which Form I-9 editions are acceptable
Right now there is more than one acceptable version, which is why people get confused. Here is the simple breakdown.
So two versions are fine to use today. The 01/20/25 edition is the current one. An 08/01/23 edition that shows a 05/31/2027 expiration is also acceptable. The version to watch out for is the 08/01/23 printing that shows a 07/31/2026 expiration date.
The July 31, 2026 deadline
The 08/01/23 printing that shows an expiration of 07/31/2026 is not acceptable for new hires after July 31, 2026. If you hire someone after that date, do not use that printing. Use the 01/20/25 edition instead, or an 08/01/23 edition that shows the 05/31/2027 date.
How to read the dates on the form
The form has two dates that look similar but mean different things. Knowing where to look takes the guesswork out of it.
- Edition date. This is in the bottom-left corner of the form. It tells you which version you are holding, such as 01/20/25.
- Expiration date. This is in the top-right corner. It tells you how long that printing of the form may be used.
When you download a form, check both spots. If the bottom-left says 01/20/25, you have the current edition. If you have an 08/01/23 form, check the top-right. A 05/31/2027 date there means it is still acceptable. A 07/31/2026 date there means you need to switch to a newer version for any new hires after July 31, 2026.
Do you have to redo old I-9s?
No. Form I-9s that were already completed on older editions stay valid. You do not need to redo them just because a new edition came out. The edition rules apply to the form you use going forward, not to forms you finished correctly in the past. If you find actual errors on an old form during a self-audit, that is a separate matter, and you should correct those with proper procedure.
The wording change in Section 1
The 01/20/25 edition includes a small but notable change in Section 1. The attestation in Box 4 now reads "An alien authorized to work". This reverted to the statutory language from the earlier phrasing, "A noncitizen authorized to work." The meaning of that status box is the same. Only the wording changed. E-Verify updated its matching citizenship-status option to align with this on April 3, 2025.
If you are an employee filling out Section 1, choose the status that truly applies to you and enter the information that box asks for. If you are an employer, do not coach the employee toward a particular box. Their status attestation is theirs to make.
What to do next
The safest habit is simple. Download the 01/20/25 edition from uscis.gov, confirm the bottom-left edition date and the top-right expiration date, and use that form for every new hire. If you rely on electronic onboarding software, confirm with your vendor that it will serve the 05/31/2027 version by July 31, 2026.
It is worth setting a routine. Pick one place to download the form, check the two dates each time, and avoid keeping stray copies on desktops or shared drives where an old printing can slip back into use. A single outdated file passed around an office is a common way the wrong edition ends up on a new hire's form. If you onboard a lot of people, a short checklist that starts with "confirm current edition" removes the guesswork for everyone involved.
Remember the three points that matter most. The 01/20/25 edition is current. An 08/01/23 edition showing 05/31/2027 is still fine. The 08/01/23 printing showing 07/31/2026 must not be used for new hires after July 31, 2026, and electronic systems must serve the 05/31/2027 version by that same date. If you stick to those rules, the edition question takes care of itself.
Once you have the right form, the next step is filling it out correctly and on time. Our step-by-step guide to completing Form I-9 walks through the whole process, and the Section 1 guide for employees explains the part the new hire completes on day one.
How to complete Form I-9 →Frequently asked questions
The current edition is the 01/20/25 version, which shows an expiration date of 05/31/2027. The edition date is in the bottom-left corner and the expiration date is in the top-right corner.
An 08/01/23 edition that shows a 05/31/2027 expiration is still acceptable. But the 08/01/23 printing that shows a 07/31/2026 expiration is not acceptable for new hires after July 31, 2026.
No. I-9s already completed on older editions stay valid and do not need to be redone. The edition rules apply to forms you use going forward.
The Box 4 attestation now reads "An alien authorized to work," reverting to statutory language from the earlier "A noncitizen authorized to work." E-Verify updated its matching status option on April 3, 2025.