April 25, 2013

Employers must use the revised federal Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) after May 7, 2013


Employers must use the revised federal Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) after May 7, 2013.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, advises employers that after May 7, 2013* only the newly revised federal Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9)** may be used 

New York State Department of Civil Service has added Advisory Memorandum 13-1 to the State Personnel Management Manual. This Manual applies to officers and employees of the State as the employer.

Advisory Memorandum 13-1, prepared by Marc Hannibal, Special Counsel, addresses the use of the newly revised federal Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9).

N.B. With respect to I-9 Forms prepared after May 7, 2013, only the new March 8, 2013 version of the Form I-9 will be accepted. The form and instructions for its use is posted on the Internet at:


Political subdivisions of the State may wish to check with the responsible local civil service commission or personnel officer concerning the processing of the Form I-9 in their respective jurisdictions.

The Department of Civil Service’s Advisory Memorandum 13-1 is set out below:

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This Advisory Memorandum updates State Personnel Management Manual Advisory Memorandum #09-01, dated March 13, 2009, located in Sections 1000 and 1800. Note on both copies of the 2005 Memo that this Advisory Memorandum should be consulted.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for use. Improvements to Form I-9 include new fields, reformatting to reduce errors, and clearer instructions for both employees and employers.

Effective March 8, 2013:

1. Employers should begin using the newly revised Form I-9 (Rev. 03/08/13)N for all new hires and reverifications.

2. Employers may continue to use previously accepted revisions (Rev.02/02/09)N and (Rev. 08/07/09) Y until May 7, 2013.

3. After May 7, 2013, employers must only use Form I-9 (Rev. 03/08/13)N.

The revision date of the Form I-9 is printed on the lower left corner of the form.

Employers should not complete a new Form I-9 for current employees if a properly completed Form I-9 is already on file.

Copies of the March 8, 2013 version of Form I-9 (including instructions) are available for download on the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov.

Print copies of the March 8, 2013 version of Form I-9 for your agency’s use and destroy all blank copies of previous versions of Form I-9 in your possession. Check the USCIS Web site regularly for the latest official information and guidance.
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* N.B. The March 8, 2013 revised Form I-9 notes that it expires on March 31, 2016. Presumably a replacement form will be promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security prior to that date.

** Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.