USCIS acceptable documents

I-9 acceptable documents checklist: List A, B, and C one List A document, or one List B + one List C

Use this i9 documents checklist to figure out which acceptable document path probably works for you, a single List A document, or one List B identity document paired with one List C employment authorization document, before you review the official USCIS list with your employer.

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This site does not upload, inspect, or store I-9 documents.

Download an I-9 documents checklist

This original Payroll Form Hub checklist helps you prepare for the employer review. It is not a document validation service.

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I-9 documents preparation checklist

Use this printable checklist to plan List A, or List B + List C, before you check the official USCIS list.

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Official USCIS acceptable documents list

Use USCIS for the current official acceptable document examples, expiration rules, and edition dates.

Verify on USCIS

Where to check acceptable I-9 documents

Agency: USCIS
Form: I-9 acceptable documents
Status: Official acceptable documents list available from USCIS
USCIS source checked: 2026-05-25

Open USCIS acceptable documents

Before you share any I-9 documents

This site does not collect, verify, or store I-9 documents. Do not upload passports, identity documents, immigration document numbers, or employee files here, they belong only in your employer's authorized I-9 process.

How I-9 documents are grouped on Form I-9

The structure is simple, one List A document, or one List B plus one List C document, but the specific examples on each list have nuances worth knowing.

List A i9 documents prove identity and work authorization together

A List A document is a single document that establishes both identity and employment authorization. Common List A examples include an unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), and certain combinations of Form I-94 with passport pages or with a foreign passport endorsement. If you present an acceptable List A document, USCIS says the employer should not ask for any additional document, and over-collecting is an audit risk for the employer.

List B + List C i9 documents work as a pair

If you do not present List A, you generally present one List B identity document together with one List C employment authorization document. Common List B examples include a driver's license or state-issued ID card with a photograph. Common List C examples include an unrestricted Social Security card or a U.S. birth certificate. The two documents together do the same job as one List A document, they should never be combined with an extra third document.

How to prepare your I-9 documents

Use these steps before the employer review so the I-9 appointment is quick and clean.

Check whether you have one acceptable List A document

Start with List A, because a single List A document can satisfy both identity and employment authorization. If you have an unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, a Permanent Resident Card, or another acceptable List A document, you generally do not need anything else.

List A: proves both
List B: identity only
List C: work authorization only

If not List A, plan one List B + one List C document

If List A is not available, plan to present one List B identity document (such as a driver's license or state ID with photo) plus one List C employment authorization document (such as an unrestricted Social Security card or a U.S. birth certificate). The employee chooses which acceptable documents to present, the employer cannot demand specific ones from the list.

Pick one List B identity document
Pair with one List C document
Use unexpired versions when required

Bring the original documents to the employer's I-9 process

The employer reviews original acceptable documents (not photocopies, unless under a USCIS-authorized remote procedure such as the DHS alternative procedure for qualified E-Verify employers) and completes Section 2 of Form I-9. Use your employer's authorized process, never email a photo of your passport to a personal email address.

This page is a planning checklist, not a document validation service. Employers always confirm the final document path on Form I-9.

I-9 document mistakes to avoid

Protect your identity documents and follow the official USCIS list.

Uploading i9 documents to third-party tools

Do not upload Form I-9 documents to this website or to other unofficial tools. Submit them only through your employer's authorized I-9 process.

Presenting too many i9 documents

Employers should not demand extra documents beyond what Form I-9 requires. Present one List A document, or one List B + one List C, never all three together.

List A i9 documents

A single List A document proves both identity and employment authorization, examples include a U.S. passport, passport card, or Permanent Resident Card.

List B i9 documents

List B documents establish identity only and must be paired with one List C document, common examples include a driver's license or state ID with photo.

List C i9 documents

List C documents establish employment authorization only and must be paired with one List B document, common examples include an unrestricted Social Security card or U.S. birth certificate.

Keep private i9 documents private

Passport numbers, A-numbers, and other immigration document numbers should stay in your employer's authorized I-9 process, not in chat, personal email, or random websites.

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I-9 documents questions

Common questions about acceptable documents for Form I-9.

What are i9 documents?

I-9 documents are the acceptable documents an employee presents on Form I-9 to establish identity and employment authorization. USCIS publishes the official lists, List A, List B, and List C, and updates them periodically.

Do I need to present List A and List B and List C i9 documents?

No. The rule is one List A document, or one List B identity document plus one List C employment authorization document. Presenting more than that is unnecessary, and an employer should not demand it.

Can I upload i9 documents on this website?

No. Payroll Form Hub does not collect, upload, store, or verify I-9 documents. They belong only in your employer's authorized I-9 process.

Where is the official i9 documents list?

The USCIS Form I-9 Acceptable Documents page is the official source. It lists every acceptable document in List A, List B, and List C with current examples and expiration rules.

Check your I-9 document path before the employer review

Use the checklist to plan the path, then confirm the specific acceptable documents on the official USCIS acceptable documents page.

Find my document path Open the I-9 form guide

Informational only; not legal or immigration advice.