Form I-9 Acceptable Documents
Employees must provide documentation to their employers to show their identity and authorization to work.
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.
U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card
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":
Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document Card
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). USCIS began issuing its most recent redesign on January 30, 2023. Some EADs issued after that date may still display the existing design format because USCIS uses existing card stock until supplies are depleted.
Current Employment Authorization Document:
Previous Employment Authorization Document:
Foreign passport with Form I-94 or Form I-94A with Arrival-Departure Record, and containing an endorsement to work
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 from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) or the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) with Form I-94 or Form I-94A
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.
Foreign passport containing a Form I-551 stamp or Form I-551 printed notation
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.
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:
Driver's License
Driver's license or identification card issued by a state or outlying territory of the U.S., provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address.
- ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address
- School ID card with a photograph
- Voter registration card
- U.S.military card or draft record
- Military dependent’s ID card
- U.S.Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) card
- Native American tribal document
- Driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority
Acceptable List B Documents for individuals under the age of 18 who are unable to present a document listed above:
- School record or report card
- Clinic, doctor or hospital record
- Day care or nursery school record
For minors under the age of 18 and certain individuals with disabilities who are unable to produce any of the listed identity documents, special notations may be used in place of a List B document.
The documents in List C only 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
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
Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Form FS-545, Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State
Form DS-1350, Certification of Report of Birth issued by the U.S. Department of State
Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying territory of the United States bearing an official seal
Native American tribal document
Form I-197, U.S. Citizen ID Card
Form I-179, Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States
Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
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, Form I-571, Refugee Travel Document (PDF), an unexpired Form I-327, Reentry Permit , Form N-560, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Form N-561, Replacement Certificate of Citizenship (PDF, 40.3 KB), or Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization or Form N-570, Replacement Certificate of Naturalization (PDF, 176.3 KB). A Form I-797 issued to a conditional resident may be an acceptable List C document in combination with his or her expired Form I-551. Form I-9 contact center can assist with questions on DHS-issued documents.