What churches need to know about the I-9 form

Q: What is the I-9 Form, and do churches have to use it?

A: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9 has been required since November 6, 1986 and is used to verify a new employee’s identity and employment authorization.

The latest update to USCIS Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, was made available in October 2019, and must be used by all employers. Federal law requires every employer, including churches, to complete this form whenever the employer “recruits, refers for a fee, or hires an individual for employment in the U.S.”

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), prohibits employers from hiring individuals without completing the employment eligibility verification process documented through Form I-9.

Occasional updates are made to this form. However, as long as the employee completed the appropriate version of the form upon hiring, the employee does not have to fill out a new version of the form when it is released.

(Important Note: There are times when a new form is required such as re-verifying the employee because his or her work authorization is expiring. Please see the USCIS I-9 website for more information.)

The USCIS has helpful information about this form, including instructions and a link to the most recent version, at the I-9 Central webpage.