How often must employers check the validity of documents used for the I-9 form?

Employers are required to check the validity of documents used for the I-9 form only at the time of hire. During the completion of the I-9 form, employers must examine and verify that the documents presented by an employee establish both identity and employment authorization. Once this verification process is completed and the I-9 form is properly filled out, there is no further requirement for the employer to periodically re-check the validity of those documents.

The I-9 process specifically focuses on ensuring that newly-hired employees are eligible to work in the United States at the point of hiring. While employers must retain I-9 forms for a specific period of time and ensure the information remains accurate, they are not obligated to re-verify employee documentation on a routine basis after the initial verification. This reflects the purpose of the I-9 form as a snapshot of the employee's eligibility status at the time employment begins, rather than an ongoing compliance check.