Final Form I-9 Rule Adopted

Effective May 16, 2011, employers must follow the newly finalized Form I-9 rule.

The final rule:

• Prohibits employers from accepting expired documents;
• Revises the list of acceptable documents by removing outdated documents and making technical amendments; and
• Adds documentation applicable to certain citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. 

The list of acceptable documents that employees may present to verify their identity and employment authorization is divided into “List A” documents, which show identity and employment authorization; “List B” documents, which show identity only; and “List C” documents, which show employment authorization only. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said employers may continue to use the current version of the Form I-9 (Rev. 08/07/2009) or the previous version (Rev. 02/02/2009).  Also, the USCIS said the Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing the Form I-9 (M-274), was updated on Jan. 5, 2011.