A Beginner’s Guide to E-Verify

Confused on what E-Verify is? We’ve got you covered. Here is a brief overview to get you started!

What is E-Verify?

E-Verify is a system administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Verification Division and the Social Security Administration.

The system itself is Internet-based and uses information from an employee’s I-9 form and Employment Eligibility Verification, the DHS and Department of State (DOS) records to confirm the employee is authorized to work the in the U.S.

How it Works

Employers create a case in the E-Verify system, which checks the employee’s information against available DHS records. E-Verify then provides the employer a result in 3 to 5 seconds which include:

• Employment Authorized
  • The information entered by the employer matches the DHS or SSA records
• DHS or SSA Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC)
  • Employers must inform the employee of the TNC and give him/her the opportunity to contest the result by correcting the DHS or SSA records (on their own).
  • The information entered by the employer does not match the DHS, SSA or DOS records.

Who’s Required to Use it

E-Verify is a voluntary program for most employers, but mandatory for some, including:

• Federal contractors
• Employers in the following states:
  • Arizona and Mississippi: Required for all employers
  • South Carolina: Encouraged for all employers
  • Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Utah: Required for public contractors and state agencies
  • Idaho, Minnesota and North Carolina: Required for state agencies

E-Verify Posting Requirements

Employers who participate in E-Verify must post the E-Verify and Right to Work posters, in English and Spanish, at the company’s hiring location.

The posting is required for:

• Federal contractors
• Employers in states required to use E-Verify (see Which employers are required to use E-Verify?)
• Employers who voluntarily participate in the E-Verify program

Please note: Due to federal restrictions, GovDocs can’t sell the E-Verify posting as a standalone product. It’s free with the purchase of our Right to Work poster.