In mid-September, employers will be required to use a new version of form I-9 to verify employment eligibility for new hires. The form changes are minor but employers must be using form I-9 version 1615-0047 (dated July 27, 2017) as of September 18, 2017. All previous versions of form I-9 will be considered out of compliance for employees hired after that date.
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.gov):
Revisions to the Form I-9 instructions:
- The name of the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices was changed to a new name: Immigrant and Employee Rights Section.
- Removed “the end of” from the phrase “the first day of employment.”
Revisions related to the List of Acceptable Documents on Form I-9:
- The Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) was added to List C. Employers completing Form I-9 on a computer will be able to select Form FS-240 from the drop-down menus available in List C of Section 2 and Section 3. E-Verify users will also be able to select Form FS-240 when creating a case for an employee who has presented this document for Form I-9.
- All certifications of report of birth issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545, Form DS-1350 and Form FS-240) were combined into selection C#2 in List C.
- All List C documents were renumbered except for the Social Security card. For example, the employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security on List C will change from List C #8 to List C #7.
- All changes were put into in a revised Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9 (M-274), which is also easier for users to navigate. Find it here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/handbook-employers-m-274
- Employers must continue following existing storage and retention rules for any previously completed Form I-9.
Employers who have questions about the I-9 process, need additional information or need general help with any human resources matter should contact their HR specialist at BCN Services.
