Current Form I-9 Set to Expire on August 31, 2012

August 22, 2012

In the coming weeks, many employers may notice that Form I-9 – which employers are required to complete for newly-hired employees – is set to expire on August 31, 2012.  Employers should be aware that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has advised continued use of the current Form I-9 past this looming expiration date.

As for developments on a new Form I-9, the USCIS published notice of the revised Form I-9 on March 27, 2012, followed by a public comment period, which ended on May 29, 2012.  Until further notice from the USCIS, employers should continue to use the current Form I-9.

As background, employers are required to complete the Form I-9 to verify and/or re-verify an employee’s identity to confirm the individual is (or remains) authorized to accept employment in the United States.  For recordkeeping purposes, an employer must retain completed I-9 forms for the later of three (3) years after an individual’s date of hire or one (1) year after the employment relationship ends.

The Bond Immigration Practice Group will continue to monitor the availability and issuance of the new Form I-9 and will provide additional details on this blog when further information becomes available.