Form I-9 Acceptable Documents
Employees must provide documentation to their employers to show their identity and authorization to work.
List A Documents
Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization
The documents on List A show both identity and employment authorization. Employees presenting an acceptable List A document should not be asked to present any other document. Some List A documents are in fact a combination of 2 or more documents. In these cases, the documents presented together count as one List A document.
To reduce the risk of fraud and counterfeiting, USCIS redesigns the Permanent Resident Card (PRC) every three to five years. Introduction of new card designs does not mean that cards with previous designs are invalid. Both current and previous cards remain valid until the expiration date shown on the card (unless otherwise noted such as through an automatic extension of the validity period of the PRC as indicated on a Form I-797, Notice of Action, or in a Federal Register notice). USCIS began issuing its most recent redesign on January 30, 2023. Some PRCs issued after that date may still display the previous design format because USCIS uses existing card stock until supplies are depleted. These cards are also known as “Green Cards.”
Current Permanent Resident Card issued on January 30, 2023:
Previous Permanent Resident Card issued on May 1, 2017:
Additionally, Permanent Resident Cards issued through January 2021 may contain a USCIS-issued sticker extending its validity to the date indicated on the sticker.
Previous Version of the Permanent Resident Card with signature:
Previous Version of Permanent Resident Card with notation, "Signature Waived":
See Section 7.1, Lawful Permanent Residents for when a Permanent Resident Card is considered unexpired past the “Card Expires” date.
Passport must contain a temporary Form I-551 stamp or temporary Form I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV).
This document is subject to reverification.
To reduce the risk of fraud and counterfeiting, USCIS redesigns the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card every three to five years. Introduction of new EAD designs does not mean that previous designs are invalid. Both current and previous cards remain valid until the expiration date shown on the card (unless otherwise noted such as through an automatic extension of the validity period of the EAD indicated on a Form I-797, Notice of Action, or in a Federal Register notice). See Section 5.0 Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization and/or Employment Authorization Documents EADs in Certain Circumstances. USCIS began issuing its most recent redesign on January 30, 2023. Some EADs issued after that date may still display the previous design format because USCIS uses existing card stock until supplies are depleted.
Most Recent Employment Authorization Document:
Previous Employment Authorization Document:
A foreign passport must be accompanied by a Form I-94/94A Arrival-Departure Record bearing the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the individual’s nonimmigrant status and authorization to work for a specific employer based on this status.
This document may only be used if the period of endorsement has not yet expired and the proposed employment does not conflict with any restrictions or limitations listed on Form I-94 or I-94A, Arrival-Departure Record. Note: Some individuals who present this List A document, such as certain nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors, must present additional documentation in order to prove their work authorization in the U.S.
In April 2013, Form I-94 was automated at airports and seaports. U.S. Customs and Border Protection no longer automatically provides travelers with a paper copy of Form I-94. Travelers may access Form I-94 information through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website or may request a paper Form I-94 during the inspection process.
Passport must be presented with Form I-94 or Form I-94A showing nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free Association Between the U.S. and the FSM or RMI.
- Receipt for a replacement of a lost, stolen, or damaged List A document.
- Form I-94 issued to a lawful permanent resident that contains an I-551 stamp and a photograph of the individual.
- Form I-94 with “RE” notation or refugee stamp issued to a refugee.
May be presented in lieu of a document listed above for a temporary period. For receipt validity dates, see the M-274, Section 4.4 Acceptable Receipts.
List B Documents
Documents that Establish Identity
The documents on List B establish only identity. Employees who choose to present a List B document must also present a document from List C for Section 2. Employees may present one of the following unexpired List B documents:
A driver’s license can be issued by any state or territory of the United States (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) or by a Canadian government authority. You may accept a driver's license if it contains a photograph or, if it does not contain a photograph, it includes identifying information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color, and address.
Some states may place restrictive notations on their licenses. For Form I-9 purposes, you may accept these licenses.
An ID card can be issued by any state (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) or local government. You may accept an ID card if it contains a photograph or, if it does not contain a photograph, it includes identifying information, such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color, and address.
Some states may place restrictive notations on their ID cards. For Form I-9 purposes, you may accept these cards.
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ID card issued to active-duty U.S. military personnel, selected reserve, Department of Defense civilian employees and eligible contractor personnel.
ID Card for U.S. military family members and U.S. military retirees.
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10. School record or report card
11. Clinic, doctor, or hospital record
12. Day-care or nursery school record
Receipt for a replacement of a lost, stolen, or damaged List B document may be presented in lieu of a document listed above for a temporary period.
For receipt validity dates, see the M-274, Section 4.4 Acceptable Receipts.
List C Documents
Documents that Establish Employment Authorization
Employees who choose to present a List C document must also provide a document from List B, evidence of identity, for Section 2.
Employees may present one of the following unexpired List C documents:
U.S. Social Security account number card that is unrestricted. A laminated card is acceptable. A card that includes any of the following restrictive wording is not an acceptable List C document:
- NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT
- VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION
- VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION
These documents may vary in color and paper used. All will include a raised seal of the office that issued the document, and may contain a watermark and raised printing.
F-545, Certification of Birth Abroad, issued by the U.S. Department of State
DS-1350, Certification of Report of Birth, issued by the U.S. Department of State
FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, issued by the U.S. Department of State
You may only accept an original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or outlying possession of the United States that bears an official seal. Versions will vary by state and year of birth.
You may only accept a Puerto Rico birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
Birth Certificate
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INS issued Forms I-179 to U.S. citizens who are residents of the United States. This card does not contain an expiration date, and is valid indefinitely.
Form I-179, Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States
Some employment authorization documents issued by DHS include but are not limited to:
- Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record issued to asylees or work-authorized nonimmigrants (for example, H-1B nonimmigrants) because of their immigration status,
- An unexpired Form I-327, Reentry Permit,
- Form N-560, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Form N-561, Replacement Certificate of Citizenship, or
A Form I-797 issued to a conditional resident may be an acceptable List C document in combination with an expired Form I-551.
The Form I-9 contact center can assist with questions on DHS-issued documents.
Receipt for a replacement of a lost, stolen, or damaged List C document may be presented in lieu of a document listed above for a temporary period.
For receipt validity dates, see the M-274, Section 4.4 Acceptable Receipts.