Must Form I-9 be completed in ink, or is pencil acceptable?

Form I-9 must be completed using either ink. While the use of pencil may not outright invalidate the form, it is strongly discouraged. The main reason for this is that pencil can be easily altered or erased, which poses risks for integrity and security of the information provided. Only ink, particularly black or blue, is generally accepted because it ensures that the form is permanent and less prone to fraud or modification after submission.

Using either ink or pencil does not align with best practices and could lead to complications during audits or inspections, as the form may appear less credible if completed in a medium that lacks permanence. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes that ink should be used for clarity and security, while pencil is not a recommended option.