What You Need to Know About I-9 and Driver's License Documentation

Form I-9 is the Employment may be able to access Verification form that every U.S. employer must have you complete before you start work. Your driver's license serves as one of the documents that satisfies the identity requirement on the form — but only if it meets specific criteria, and only if you pair it with proof of work authorization.

The form has two sections: Section 1 (which you fill out) and Section 2 (which your employer completes). Your driver's license goes into Section 2, List A or List B, depending on what other documents you bring. The employer or HR representative physically examines your license and records information from it — you do not submit the license itself.

The most common mistake is bringing only a driver's license. That is not enough. You must also bring a second document that proves you have the right to work in the United States. This second document goes in a different list on the form.

Key Takeaways

  • Your driver's license alone does not complete the I-9; you must also bring a document proving work authorization, such as a Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport.
  • The employer or HR representative examines your documents in person, records specific information from them, and keeps copies — you do not mail or upload anything.
  • Your driver's license must be current or expired no more than one year before the I-9 completion date to be accepted.
  • Section 1 of the I-9 is completed by you before your first day; Section 2 is completed by your employer on or before your first day of work.
  • If your driver's license does not have your current legal name or address, you may need to bring additional documents to explain the difference.

How the I-9 Document Lists Work

The I-9 uses three lists to organize acceptable documents. Your driver's license fits into one of two categories, and your work authorization document fits into another. Understanding which list each document belongs to helps you know what to bring.

List A documents prove both identity and work authorization in a single document. These include a U.S. passport, a passport card, a permanent resident card (green card), or an employment authorization document (EAD) issued by USCIS. If you have a List A document, you do not need anything else.

List B documents prove identity only. Your driver's license is a List B document. If you use your driver's license, you must also bring a List C document to prove work authorization. List C documents include a Social Security card, a birth certificate, a state-issued ID card, a U.S. military ID, or a tribal document. You bring both documents to your employer, who examines and records information from both.

List B + List C is the most common combination for U.S. citizens. You bring your driver's license (List B) and your Social Security card (List C). Your employer records information from both and keeps copies of both.

What Information Your Employer Records From Your Driver's License

Your employer does not keep your original driver's license. Instead, they examine it in person and write down specific information on Section 2 of the I-9. You should know what they are looking for so you can verify they recorded it correctly.

The employer records: your document number (the license number), the state that issued it, and the expiration date. They also note the document type (driver's license) and the issuing authority. If your license has a Real ID star or indicator, they may note that as well, though it is not required for I-9 purposes.

Your employer also makes a photocopy of your driver's license and your work authorization document (if you are using List B + List C). These copies are kept in your personnel file. You should receive a copy of the completed I-9 for your records.

Requirements Your Driver's License Must Meet

Not every driver's license is acceptable for I-9 purposes. Your license must meet three conditions: it must be issued by a U.S. state or territory, it must contain your photograph, and it must not be expired by more than one year on the date you complete the I-9.

If your driver's license expired more than one year ago, it cannot be used as your List B document. You would need to bring a different List B document instead, such as a state-issued ID card, a U.S. military ID, or a passport. Check with your employer about what alternatives they will accept.

If your driver's license is current (not expired), there is no issue. If it expired within the past year, it is still acceptable. The one-year grace period exists because people often do not renew licenses when ready after expiration.

How to Complete Section 1 of the I-9

Section 1 is the part you fill out yourself, usually before your first day of work or on your first day. You complete it in the presence of your employer or HR representative, or you may be asked to complete it at home and bring it with you.

You will need to provide: your full legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, your current address, and your phone number and email. You also declare your citizenship or immigration status by checking one of four boxes: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, lawful temporary resident, or authorized to work until a specific date.

If your legal name has changed since your driver's license was issued (for example, through marriage or court order), write your current legal name in Section 1 and note the previous name. Your employer will see the difference when they examine your driver's license in Section 2 and will understand why the names do not match.

Sign and date Section 1. Do not leave any fields blank. If a field does not explore to you, write "N/A" rather than leaving it empty.

What Happens During Section 2 Completion

Your employer completes Section 2 on or before your first day of work. You must be present while they examine your documents. This is not something they do in a back office alone — you need to be there to verify the information they record.

Bring your driver's license and your work authorization document (Social Security card, birth certificate, or other List C document) to this meeting. Your employer will look at both documents, record the required information, and make photocopies. The copies become part of your I-9 file.

Your employer will also sign and date Section 2 and write their title and the date. If your employer uses an authorized representative (such as an HR manager) to complete the form, that person signs instead and notes their relationship to the employer.

Ask your employer for a copy of the completed I-9 for your personal records. You are may have access to to one, and it is useful to have if you ever need to prove you completed the form correctly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent error is bringing only a driver's license without a work authorization document. USCIS and the Department of Labor both flag I-9s that are incomplete because the employer accepted a List B document without a List C document. This can result in fines for your employer and potential employment complications for you.

Another common mistake is using an expired driver's license that expired more than one year before the I-9 date. If this happens, your employer should ask you to bring a different List B document. Do not assume an old license will work.

A third mistake is failing to sign Section 1 or leaving fields blank. An unsigned or incomplete Section 1 makes the entire I-9 invalid. Take time to fill it out completely and legibly.

If your driver's license shows a different legal name than what you use now, do not try to hide this. Write your current legal name in Section 1 and let your employer see the difference when they examine your license. Attempting to conceal a name change raises red flags during I-9 audits.

What to Do If Your Driver's License Is Not Acceptable

If your driver's license is expired by more than one year, or if you do not have one, you can use a different List B document. Acceptable alternatives include a state-issued ID card (non-driver), a U.S. military ID, a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card, a passport, or a passport card.

If you do not have any List B document, some employers may accept a combination of List C documents instead. For example, you could bring a Social Security card and a birth certificate. However, this is less common, and you should confirm with your employer first.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may have a List A document such as a green card or employment authorization document (EAD). These documents satisfy both identity and work authorization requirements on their own, so you would not need to bring a second document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a driver's license that is expired by more than one year?

No. Your driver's license must be current or expired no more than one year before the I-9 completion date. If yours is older than that, bring a different List B document such as a state ID card, military ID, or passport instead.

Do I submit my driver's license with the I-9, or does my employer keep it?

Your employer does not keep your original license. They examine it in person, record information from it, and make a photocopy. The photocopy goes in your I-9 file; your original license is returned to you.

What if my driver's license has a different name than my current legal name?

Write your current legal name in Section 1 of the I-9. Your employer will see the difference when they examine your license in Section 2 and will note it on the form. This is normal and expected if you have changed your name through marriage or court order.

Is a Real ID driver's license required for the I-9?

No. A standard driver's license works fine for I-9 purposes. Real ID is a separate federal standard for air travel and federal building access. Your employer does not require a Real ID license to complete the I-9.

What if I do not have a Social Security card to go with my driver's license?

You need a List C document to pair with your List B driver's license. If you do not have a Social Security card, you can bring a birth certificate, state-issued ID, military ID, or tribal document instead. Contact your employer to confirm which documents they will accept.