The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") has published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9, which employers may immediately start using. Beginning on May 7, 2013, employers must use the new form. Until then, the government has provided employers with a grace period during which they may continue to use the old form.  Failure to use the new form after May 7, 2013, however, may result in large fines for employers.

The information employers are required to provide under the new form is the same as required under the old Form I-9. USCIS has also released a new Handbook for Employers, known as the M-274, which provides employers with further guidance on completing the new Form I-9.

The new Form I-9 must be completed for all new hires, as well as for re-verifying current employees with expiring employment authorization documentation, beginning May 7, 2013. It is not, however, necessary to complete a new Form I-9 for existing employees who do not require re-verification. The new Form I-9, the M-274 Handbook, and additional guidance are currently available on the USCIS website at: www.uscis.gov.