What Documents Do I Need for Form I-9?
A simple breakdown of what to bring on your first day so your employer can verify your work authorization.
Starting a new job means completing Form I-9. Your employer has to confirm your identity and your right to work in the United States. To do that, they need to see your documents. The good news is the rule is simpler than it looks. Once you understand the two paths, you can decide what to bring in about a minute.
The two paths
Form I-9 uses three lists of acceptable documents. You only need to satisfy one of two paths. You do not need documents from all three lists at once.
- Path 1: One List A document. A List A document proves both your identity and your work authorization at the same time. One document does the whole job.
- Path 2: One List B plus one List C document. A List B document proves your identity. A List C document proves your work authorization. Together they do the same job as a single List A document.
Think of it as a single document on one side, or a matched pair on the other side. Both paths satisfy the form equally. Pick whichever path fits the documents you already have.
Common examples
Here are documents people often use. This is not the full list, so check the form's full Lists of Acceptable Documents if your situation is different.
So a U.S. citizen with a passport can use Path 1 with that one document. Someone without a passport often uses Path 2, for example a driver's license from List B and a Social Security card from List C. A green card, formally the Permanent Resident Card, is a List A document, so it stands alone. The right choice is simply whatever valid documents you can bring.
You choose which documents to show
This part is important. The choice of which documents to present is yours, not your employer's.
If you have more than one valid option, you decide which to bring. Your employer's job is to accept what you present if it appears genuine and relates to you, not to steer your choice. If an employer pressures you to provide a specific document, that is a sign something is wrong with the process.
What if you lost a document?
Sometimes a document is lost, stolen, or damaged when you start. There is a rule for that.
The receipt rule is meant to keep you working while you wait for a replacement. It is temporary, so plan to bring the real document by the deadline your employer gives you. A receipt is a bridge, not a permanent answer.
Get ready before day one
You must complete your part of Form I-9, Section 1, by the end of your first day. Your employer reviews your documents and completes Section 2 within 3 business days of your start date. To avoid delays, decide ahead of time which path you will use and bring those documents with you on your first day.
A few minutes of planning saves stress. Pick a List A document, or a List B and a List C pair. Confirm they are current and that they relate to you. Then put them somewhere you will not forget them. If you are unsure whether a document qualifies, you can review the full lists before your start date.
Some employers verify documents in person, and some may use a live video procedure if they take part in E-Verify. Either way, the documents you can use are the same, so prepare the same way regardless of how the review happens.
A few things to double-check
Before your first day, look over your chosen documents one more time. Make sure they are current and not expired. Make sure the name on them matches the name you will enter on the form, or be ready to explain a difference such as a maiden name. Make sure the documents are originals or otherwise meet the form's requirements, since photocopies are generally not accepted in place of the real document.
If you only have one document and you are not sure which path it fits, the lists are the place to confirm. A U.S. passport is List A and stands alone. A driver's license is List B and needs a List C partner. A Social Security card without work restrictions is List C and needs a List B partner. Knowing which list each of your documents falls under tells you exactly what else, if anything, you need to bring.
Finally, remember that this is a routine, required step for every employee. It is not a judgment about you. The form exists so employers can confirm work authorization in a consistent way. Bring the right documents, fill out your part on time, and the process is usually quick. If your situation is unusual, you can consult an immigration attorney for guidance specific to you.
See the full document lists →Frequently asked questions
You need either one document from List A, or one document from List B plus one document from List C. List A proves both identity and work authorization. List B plus List C does the same in two documents.
No. You choose which valid documents to present from the Lists. Your employer must accept any acceptable document or documents you provide. Demanding specific documents is document abuse, which is illegal.
A receipt for a lost, stolen, or damaged document is acceptable for a limited time. You then present the actual document later once you receive the replacement.