Top Ten Tips Disclaimer
I-9 forms do not have to be filled out on applicants, just on newly-hired employees
new I-9 rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: only documents that are unexpired when shown can be used for I-9 purposes (once shown, a U.S. passport, an alien registration receipt card/permanent resident card, or a List B document does not need to be reverified, even if it expires after the employee was hired)
an employer has up to three (3) business days following hire to get the I-9 form filled out
if a new hire shows the documentation listed on the form, the I-9 requirements are satisfied; the employer should not make the mistake of requiring documentation above and beyond what is shown on the I-9 form (what the government calls "document abuse")
if the employer makes copies of the documents shown by the employee, it should keep them in a separate I-9 file in case of a CIS (formerly known as INS) audit
the employer is not required to be a document-authentication expert; as long as the employer satisfies itself in good faith that the documents are genuine and satisfy the requirements, that is all that is needed
I-9 records must be kept for three years following the date of hire, or for one year after the employee leaves, whichever is later – recommended: keep this and all employment records for at least 7 years after the employee leaves in order to exhaust all the statutes of limitation