How to Run an I-9 Self-Audit
A plain-English guide to checking your I-9s and fixing errors the correct way.
A self-audit is when you check your own Form I-9 records before anyone else does. It is voluntary. No one orders you to do it. But it is one of the smartest steps an employer can take. A careful self-audit helps you find missing forms, catch errors, and fix them the right way while you still can. This page walks you through how to do one and how to make corrections without making things worse.
Why self-audits matter in 2026
Enforcement of Form I-9 rules has increased. In 2026, inspectors are looking more closely at I-9 records, and some kinds of errors are now treated more strictly than before. That means a small mistake you never noticed could become a real problem during an inspection. A self-audit lets you find and fix problems on your own schedule, in a calm setting, instead of scrambling later. The goal is simple. Make your records correct and complete before anyone asks to see them.
Step by step: how to run a self-audit
- Make a list of your people. Pull a list of everyone who currently works for you. You should have an I-9 for each one. Independent contractors and casual domestic workers are exceptions and do not need an I-9.
- Match a form to each name. Go through your I-9 files and check that every current worker has a form. Note anyone who is missing one.
- Check Section 1. The employee fills this in. Make sure it is complete and signed and dated. Look for blank fields like date of birth or a missing signature.
- Check Section 2. The employer fills this in. Make sure the document information is complete, including the title, number, and expiration date, and that you signed and dated it.
- Check your retained forms. Confirm you still have I-9s for recent past workers who are inside the keep window. See our retention rules page for how to figure out which old forms you must still keep.
- Write down what you find. Keep a simple record of the errors you spot and the corrections you make. This shows you acted in good faith.
How to correct an error the right way
Fixing an I-9 is not like fixing a typo in a regular document. There is a specific, approved way to do it, and there are things you must never do.
The correct way to fix an error is:
- Draw a single line through the wrong information so the original is still readable.
- Enter the correct information next to it or above it.
- Initial and date the change so it is clear who fixed it and when.
Who fixes what matters too. The employee should correct mistakes in Section 1, since that is their part. The employer should correct mistakes in Section 2. If a whole section was never filled in, the right person should complete it now, then date the entry with the actual date, not a date in the past.
What to do about missing forms
If a current worker has no I-9 at all, do not panic and do not backdate. Complete a new I-9 with them as soon as you can, using today's actual date. A late form completed honestly is better than no form, and far better than a backdated one. The same rule applies to a missing Section 1 or Section 2. Complete it now and date it now.
Keep it fair and consistent
When you run a self-audit, apply the same review to everyone. Do not single out workers based on how they look, where they are from, or their citizenship status. The audit is about the paperwork, not the person. Treat every file the same way.
Remember that the worker always chooses which documents to show from the Lists of Acceptable Documents. During a self-audit you check that the document information is recorded correctly. You do not ask workers to bring new or different documents just because you are reviewing files, unless a form is truly missing or a document was clearly not acceptable.
When to get help
If your self-audit turns up serious gaps, or if you are unsure how to fix something, it is wise to get advice. For your specific situation, you can consult an immigration attorney. The official instructions also live at uscis.gov.
A self-audit pairs well with knowing the errors employers make most often. Review our common I-9 mistakes page so you know what to look for. And to understand what an official inspection looks like, see our guide to the ICE audit process.
See common I-9 mistakes →Frequently asked questions
A self-audit is a voluntary review of your own I-9 records. You check that every required worker has a complete, correct form, and you fix errors the approved way before any inspection.
Draw a single line through the wrong information so it is still readable, write the correct information next to it, then initial and date the change. Never erase, use white-out, or backdate.
Complete a new I-9 with that worker as soon as possible using today's actual date. Do not backdate it. A late but honest form is better than no form or a backdated one.
Generally no. The audit checks that document information was recorded correctly. You only need new documents if a form is truly missing or a recorded document was clearly not acceptable.