StartEaseFill in your Form I-9 in StartEase, box by box
Form I-9 shows who you are and that you may work in the United States. This guide walks through Form I-9, Section 1 in My profile, one box at a time, and tells you which documents to bring for Section 2.
Before you start
- Every new employee fills in an I-9, US citizens too.
- It has two parts. You fill in Section 1 in StartEase, no later than your first day of work. Your employer fills in Section 2 after looking at your documents.
- Nothing to upload for Section 1. You only type and pick.
Open My profile and scroll to Form I-9, Section 1. Go through it from top to bottom.
1. Section 1, box by box
| Box | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Name, address, date of birth, SSN, email and phone | Your details from Personal and Home address. You cannot change them here. | Click it to check them. If something is wrong, fix it under Personal or Home address. |
| Other last names I have used | Any other last name you have used, for example a name before marriage. | Type them, or leave blank if none. |
| I attest that I am | Your status for working in the United States. "Attest" means you confirm it is true. | Choose one:
|
| A preparer or translator helped me | Someone helped you fill in Section 1, for example by translating. | Tick it only if someone helped you. That person then fills in Supplement A. Most people leave it blank. |
| Date I signed Section 1 | The date you complete and sign Section 1. | Pick today's date. It must be no later than your first day of work. |
2. Extra boxes for options 3 and 4
| Box | Shown for | What to type |
|---|---|---|
| USCIS number or A-Number | 3. Lawful permanent resident | The number on your green card. |
| I am authorized to work until | 4. Noncitizen authorized to work | The date your permission to work ends. Leave blank if it has no end date. |
| Number I am giving | 4. Noncitizen authorized to work | Choose which number you will give: your USCIS A-Number, your Form I-94 admission number, or your foreign passport number. You only need one. |
| Number | 4. Noncitizen authorized to work | That number, exactly as on your document. |
| Passport country of issuance | 4, when you chose a foreign passport number | The country that issued your passport. |
3. Section 2: bring your documents
Section 2 is for your employer. You do not fill it in, but you must show original documents, in person, within 3 business days after your first day (start Monday, done by Thursday). You choose which ones:
| Show | Examples |
|---|---|
| One document from List A (proves identity and work permission) | U.S. passport or passport card, Permanent Resident Card (green card), Employment Authorization Document, foreign passport with Form I-94. |
| Or one from List B (identity) plus one from List C (work permission) | List B: driver's license, state ID card. List C: Social Security card (unrestricted), U.S. birth certificate. |
- Documents must be originals and not expired. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Your employer cannot tell you which documents to show.
- Your employer then records the documents and signs Section 2. There is no upload and no approval step like the W-4.
What happens to your I-9
The I-9 is not filed with the government. Your employer keeps it for 3 years after your first day of work, or 1 year after your employment ends, whichever is later.
Federal immigration law requires employers to verify identity and work authorization of every new hire on Form I-9. Employees complete Section 1 by the first day of employment; the employer completes Section 2 within three business days of the start date.
Sources (government sites):