E-Verify compares information provided from your employee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm that employees are authorized to work in the United States. Although participation in E-Verify isn’t required of every employer, most employers participate voluntarily.

What is the E-Verify process?

1. The employee accepts an offer and completes the I-9.
2. The employer enters the information into E-Verify.
3. The data is compared to Social Security Administration records and the Department of Homeland Security records.
4. Results are returned to the employer within three to five seconds.
5. The results indicate whether the information entered into E-Verify matches available records.

E-Verify does not provide an employer with any immigration or citizenship status, or documentation about the employee.

Compliance Considerations

Some things to consider from a compliance standpoint are:

• Employers that participate in E-Verify must post notices in the workplace regarding E-Verify participation.
• Companies using E-Verify must use it for for every employee.

In later topics, you will learn how to use start and end dates and notifications to help you stay compliant with the timing requirements of Form I-9 and E-Verify.