Completing the I-9 with an EAD (Form I-766)
Which acceptable documents work — and your right to choose them. General info, not legal advice.
An Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 EAD) is a List A document — by itself it proves both your identity and your permission to work. You don’t need anything else.
How I-9 documents work
To complete Form I-9 you show your employer either one document from List A (which proves both who you are and that you’re authorized to work) or one document from List B (identity) plus one from List C (work authorization). You never need all three — it’s List A, or List B + List C. See the full lists of acceptable documents.
Documents you’ll commonly use
Some EAD categories qualify for an automatic extension when you file a timely renewal. In that case your expired EAD plus your receipt notice (Form I-797C) may be used together for a set period. Check the category code on the front of your card and the current auto-extension rules.
You choose which documents to show — not your employer
This matters: you decide which acceptable documents to present. An employer cannot require a specific document, reject a valid one, or ask for more than the I-9 requires — doing so is illegal “document abuse.” The documents described here are common examples for your situation, not a required list.
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules depend on your individual circumstances — check USCIS I-9 Central or a qualified immigration attorney for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Form I-766 (the EAD) is a List A document, so it proves both identity and work authorization on its own — you don’t add a List B or List C document.
For certain categories, yes — a timely-filed renewal triggers an automatic extension, and your old EAD plus the I-797C receipt document your authorization for the extension period. Confirm your category qualifies.