Forms to Complete and Bring on Your First Day
This section describes what happens during the onboarding process on your first day if you are:
- A new or reinstated employee;
- Transferring from an agency outside DHS;
- Transferring from another DHS agency;
- A temporary employee; or
- A student with an appointment of more than one year.
Onboarding Process
- Welcome
- Oath of Office and signing of Appointment Affidavit
- Verifying that you completed and brought the required forms
- Badging
What you MUST bring on your First Day:
- For badging purposes—Two forms of identification (such as a state driver’s license, state identification card, U.S. Passport, military ID card, birth certificate, or Social Security card).
- For I-9 purposes—You must choose from the List of Acceptable Documents:
- One document from List A, or
- One document from List B and one document from List C.
- For direct deposit—A check for the account where you want your salary deposited. There is no need to void the check.
For ALL required forms listed below, please refer to the column that indicates your employment category. The check mark denotes which forms you are required to download, complete, and bring with you on your first day. Some forms may require that you present additional documentation on the first day of employment.
Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
Purpose: We use this form to verify your identity and eligibility to work in the United States. You may choose to bring either one document from List A on the List of Acceptable Documents OR a combination of one document from List B and one document from List C.
Form OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to determine your acceptability for federal employment.
Form SF-144 Statement of Prior Federal Service (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to verify your prior service. Your length of service will affect leave and retirement benefits.
Form SF-256, Self Identification of Disability (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to collect statistical information for agency reports on hiring, placement and advancement of individuals with disabilities.
Form SF-181, Ethnicity and Race Identification (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to collect statistical information on the composition of the workforce. You are not required to complete this form; however, if you don’t, we will attempt to identify your race and national origin visually.
Form AD-349, Employee Address (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to designate your official mailing and residential address so you can receive your bi-weekly Earnings and Leave Statements and other important mailings.
Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (PDF)
Purpose: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses this form to determine the correct amount of federal income tax to withhold from your bi-weekly earnings based on the number of exemptions that you claim.
State Withholding Exemption Certificates
Purpose: The IRS uses this form to determine the correct amount of state income tax to be withheld from your bi-weekly earnings based on the number of exemptions that you claim and the state where you live. This site links to all state withholding certificates.
Form F-1199A, Direct Deposit Sign-Up
Purpose: We use this form to identify the financial institution that will receive your bi-weekly earnings through an electronic funds transfer. You may ask about voluntary automatic payroll deductions for any other voluntary purpose (such as a savings account or car payment) at orientation.
Form SF-61, Appointment Affidavits (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form on your first day of work when you take the Oath of Office. Do not complete this form until you are sworn in.
Form D-4A, Certificate of Non-residence in the District of Columbia (PDF)
This form is required for anyone working at USCIS headquarters who does not live within in the District of Columbia.
Purpose: The IRS uses this form to notify the District of Columbia (D.C.) to not deduct taxes from your wages because you do not live in D.C.
Form OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to determine your acceptability for federal employment.
Form SF-256, Self Identification of Disability (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to collect statistical information for agency reports on hiring, placement and advancement of individuals with disabilities.
Form SF-181, Ethnicity and Race Identification (PDF)
Purpose: We use this form to collect statistical information on the composition of the workforce. You are not required to complete this form; however, if you don’t, we will attempt to identify your race and national origin visually.
Form AD-349, Employee Address (PDF) (if address has changed)
Purpose: We use this form to designate your official mailing and residential address so you can receive your bi-weekly Earnings and Leave Statements and other important mailings.
Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (PDF) (if changes are required)
Purpose: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses this form to determine the correct amount of federal income tax to withhold from your bi-weekly earnings based on the number of exemptions that you claim.
State Withholding Exemption Certificates (if changes are required)
Purpose: The IRS uses this form to determine the correct amount of state income tax to be withheld from your bi-weekly earnings based on the number of exemptions that you claim and the state where you live. This site links to all state withholding certificates.
Form F-1199A, Direct Deposit Sign-Up (if changes are required)
Purpose: We use this form to identify the financial institution that will receive your bi-weekly earnings through an electronic funds transfer. You may ask about voluntary automatic payroll deductions for any other voluntary purpose (such as a savings account or car payment) at orientation.
Form D-4A, Certificate of Non-residence in the District of Columbia (PDF) (if needed)
This form is required for anyone working at USCIS headquarters who does not live within in the District of Columbia.
Purpose: The IRS uses this form to notify the District of Columbia (D.C.) to not deduct taxes from your wages because you do not live in D.C.