What is E-Verify?

E-Verify is a web-based system. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) runs it with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It’s a free tool employers use to confirm employment eligibility.

  1. Employer creates a case.

    The employer creates a case in E-Verify. They do

    this by entering information from the employee’s Form I-9. This includes the employee’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

  2. Electronic Verification.

    E-Verify then compares the employer’s entry to

    records from DHS and SSA.

  3. Verification Results.

    The employer receives a response within a few

    seconds. They will get one of the following results:

    1. Employment Authorized.

      The information entered matches records

      available to DHS and/or SSA, and the employee may work in the United

      States.

    2. Tentative No confirmation (Mismatched Information).

      There’s a mismatch between the

      information entered by the employer and the government records. In this case, the employee has an opportunity to resolve the issue with DHS and SSA.

Important things to know about E-Verify:

E-Verify is not mandatory for most employers. But, it is mandatory for some federal contractors and some employers in certain states. For most businesses, though, it’s voluntary.

E-Verify doesn’t reveal details. It only shows if a person is employment authorized (a match) or has a tentative non-confirmation (a mismatch). It does not say where the employee is from. It also does not say what documents they showed.

Dispute Resolution. If an employee gets a tentative non-confirmation through E-Verify, they can contest the results. They can also give more documentation to DHS and SSA.

Benefits of Using E-Verify:

E-Verify helps employers comply with immigration laws. It also reduces the risk of hiring unauthorized workers. Hiring them can lead to fines and penalties.

E-Verify provides faster verification. It is more efficient than manual methods.

Peace of Mind: E-Verify can give employers peace of mind knowing they are employing a workforce that is authorized to work in the United States.

Here are some resources for more information about E-Verify:

E-Verify website: https://www.e-verify.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/

What documents are acceptable for proof of identity and employment authorization?

Provide documents that establish your identity and authorization to work.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

A U.S. passport

Permanent Resident Card

Foreign passport with an appropriate work visa

For proof of employment authorization, you can use:

A Social Security card
Employment Authorization Document

Employers should not request certain documents from employees. The choice is up to the individual as long as they meet the form’s requirements. Employees should have the valid and current documents ready when filling out the I-9 Form. This will speed up the process and avoid job start delays.