Completing the I-9 Form During Onboarding
Newly hired employees and rehired employees (any prior employee who had a one-day or longer break in service) must complete a new I-9 Form. All remote and in-person I-9 Forms are completed electronically via the Guardian system. Section I of the I-9 Form must be completed no later than the end of their first day of employment. Additionally, Section II of the I-9 Form must be completed within three business days of the first day of employment (if the employee starts on Monday, the I-9 Form must be completed no later than Thursday). If the position is for less than three days, Section II must be completed no later than the first day of work for pay.
Section I of the I-9
In order to complete the Section I of the I-9 employment verification process, employees will be required to provide certain biographical information to their hiring department or human resources representative.
Section II of the I-9
Employees will have to show valid government-issued documentation establishing their identity and eligibility to work in the United States in order to complete Section II of the I-9 Process. A List of Acceptable Documents for the I-9 Process can be found here. Employers must complete and sign Section 2 of the I-9 within three business days of their date of hire. Prospective employees who have completed all contingencies for employment may meet with the department I-9 preparer prior to their first day of employment in order for the department I-9 preparer to review their identifying documents.
Guardian I-9 System
Rutgers University requires all I-9 forms to be completed electronically using the Guardian I-9 System application available through the MyRutgers portal. Guardian is fully integrated with E-Verify in order to create a relatively simple and seemless verification process for employees. Please use the following links to request system access and review our training materials:
What is the I-9 Form?
The Employee Eligibility Verification I-9 process is documentation required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and establishes an employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Pursuant to the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, all U.S. employers are required to verify the identity and work eligibility of all employees hired after November 6, 1986, whether those employees are U.S. citizens or not.
What is E-Verify?
E-Verify is an online, free service administered by the United States government that compares the information provided by an employee through the I-9 process with government records to verify an individual's identity. If the information matches, the employer receives verification that the employee is eligible to work in the United States. As a federal contractor, Rutgers participates in the E-Verify program. The University's E-Verify Company Identification Number/Client Company Identification Number is 319888.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Employers have certain responsibilities under immigration law during the hiring process. Employers who violate the law may be subject to penalties as explained on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
As an employee, you have a responsibility to assist the University in complying with our obligations under federal immigration and employment law. Any employee who fails to complete the I-9 verification process within the prescribed time limits must be terminated according to federal law.
Additional Assistance
Rutgers University International Student & Scholar Services
Contact International Student & Scholar Services
Area of Expertise: explaining federal immigration regulations and providing immigration-related services.