Section 1: What the Employee Fills Out
Section 1 is your part of Form I-9, and you must finish it by the end of your first day of work.
Form I-9 has two main parts. Section 1 belongs to you, the employee. Section 2 belongs to your employer. This page covers Section 1 so you know what to enter and why it matters. Form I-9 has one job. It confirms your identity and your authorization to work in the United States. Every U.S. employer must complete one for every employee, whether you are a citizen or a noncitizen, and no matter the size of the company. So almost everyone who takes a job fills out Section 1 at some point.
What Section 1 asks for
Section 1 collects basic facts about who you are and your work authorization. Fill in every field that applies to you. Use plain, accurate information that matches your documents. The form is short, but the information you give is a legal statement, so accuracy counts more than speed.
Start with your name. Enter your legal name as it appears on your documents. Then list any other names you have used, such as a maiden name. If you have never used another name, follow the form's instructions for that field. Next comes your current physical street address, followed by your date of birth. These basic fields seem simple, but they carry weight, as you will see below.
The attestation: choosing your status
The heart of Section 1 is the attestation. Here you check one box that states your work-authorization status. You are signing under penalty of law, so pick the box that is true for you. There are four options.
- A citizen of the United States.
- A noncitizen national of the United States. This is a small group, mostly people born in certain U.S. territories.
- A lawful permanent resident. If you check this, you provide your A-Number or USCIS number.
- An alien authorized to work. If you check this, you give your work-authorization expiration date if there is one, plus an A-Number or USCIS number, a Form I-94 number, or foreign passport details.
Pick only one box. The box you choose decides which extra fields you need to complete. A citizen and a noncitizen national do not enter document numbers in this part. A lawful permanent resident provides an A-Number or USCIS number. Someone who is an alien authorized to work provides their numbers and, if it applies, their work-authorization expiration date.
Fields that are now serious if left blank
In the past, some blank fields counted as small technical errors. That has changed. On March 16, 2026, ICE moved many error categories from technical to substantive. A technical error used to come with a window to fix it. A substantive error can bring an immediate fine with no chance to fix it first. Several Section 1 fields are now on that substantive list.
The takeaway is simple. Fill in every field that applies to you, and check your work before you sign. If a field does not apply to you, follow the form's instructions for that field rather than leaving it blank in a way that creates confusion. A careful read now can save your employer from a fine later, and it keeps your own record clean.
Signing Section 1
When your entries are complete and correct, sign and date Section 1. Your signature confirms that what you entered is true. If someone helped you read or fill out the form, or translated it for you, that person completes Supplement A, the preparer and translator certification. You still sign Section 1 yourself. Supplement A is a separate page that only applies when a helper or translator was involved.
If you make a mistake
If you spot an error after writing, do not erase it or use correction fluid. The accepted method is to draw a single line through the error, enter the correct information, then initial and date the change. Never backdate anything. Your employer follows the same rule for their part of the form.
Section 1 is short, but accuracy matters more than speed. Take a minute to confirm your name, address, date of birth, and status are all right. Then you are ready to hand the form to your employer, who reviews your documents and completes Section 2. If your personal situation is complicated, it is fine to consult an immigration attorney before you sign.
See which documents you can use →Frequently asked questions
You must complete and sign Section 1 by the end of your first day of employment. Your employer then completes Section 2 within 3 business days of your start date.
On the 01/20/25 edition, the fourth box reads "An alien authorized to work." This reverted to the statutory wording. Older editions said "A noncitizen authorized to work," but both refer to the same group.
Several Section 1 fields are now substantive if missing, including date of birth, A-Number or USCIS number, I-94 number, work-authorization expiration date, other names used, and physical address. A substantive error can bring an immediate fine. Fill in every field that applies to you.
Do not erase or use white-out. Draw a single line through the error, write the correct information, then initial and date the change. Never backdate.