Form I-9 Acceptable Documents
Employees must provide documentation to their employers to show their identity and authorization to work. Form I-9 splits the acceptable documents into three lists — List A (both identity and work authorization), List B (identity only) and List C (work authorization only). Based on the USCIS I-9 Central page, retrieved 2026-10-11.
The three lists at a glance
| List A | Shows both identity and employment authorization. An employee presenting an acceptable List A document should not be asked to present any other document. |
| List B | Establishes identity only. Must be paired with a document from List C. |
| List C | Establishes employment authorization only. Must be paired with a document from List B. |
List A — both identity and employment authorization
The documents on List A show both identity and employment authorization. Employees presenting an acceptable List A document should not be asked to present any other document. Some List A documents are in fact a combination of 2 or more documents; in these cases, the documents presented together count as one List A document.
To reduce the risk of fraud and counterfeiting, USCIS redesigns the Permanent Resident Card (PRC) every three to five years, and began issuing its most recent redesign on January 30, 2023. A new design does not invalidate cards with previous designs: both current and previous cards remain valid until the expiration date shown on the card.
A foreign passport must be accompanied by a Form I-94/94A Arrival-Departure Record bearing the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the individual’s nonimmigrant status and authorization to work for a specific employer based on this status.
List B — identity only
The documents on List B establish only identity. Employees who choose to present a List B document must also present a document from List C for Section 2. Employees may present one of the following unexpired List B documents.
Driver’s licenses or ID cards issued by a state department of motor vehicles are List B, Item 1 documents and should not be accepted as a List B, Item 2 document. A driver’s license can be issued by any state or territory of the United States, or by a Canadian government authority, and may be accepted if it contains a photograph or identifying information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye colour and address.
List C — employment authorization only
Employees who choose to present a List C document must also provide a document from List B, evidence of identity, for Section 2. Employees may present one of the following unexpired List C documents.
- U.S. Social Security card that is unrestricted. The card must not be laminated. Restricted Social Security cards are not acceptable as List C documents.
- A Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record issued to asylees or work-authorized nonimmigrants.
- An original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying possession of the United States that bears an official seal.
If a document is lost, stolen or damaged
A receipt for a replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged List A, List B or List C document may be presented in lieu of a document listed above for a temporary period. For receipt validity dates, see USCIS M-274, Section 4.4 (Acceptable Receipts).
Frequently asked questions
What are the List A documents for Form I-9?
List A documents show both identity and employment authorization. An employee presenting an acceptable List A document should not be asked to present any other document.
What is the difference between List B and List C?
List B documents establish only identity and must be paired with a document from List C. List C documents establish only employment authorization and must be paired with a document from List B.
Is a driver's licence acceptable for Form I-9?
Yes. Driver's licenses or ID cards issued by a state department of motor vehicles are List B, Item 1 documents. A driver's license can be issued by any US state or territory, or by a Canadian government authority.
Can I use a Social Security card for Form I-9?
A U.S. Social Security card that is unrestricted is a List C document. The card must not be laminated, and restricted Social Security cards are not acceptable.
Is a foreign passport enough on its own?
No. A foreign passport must be accompanied by a Form I-94/94A Arrival-Departure Record bearing the same name, with an endorsement of nonimmigrant status and authorization to work for a specific employer.
What if my Form I-9 document is lost or damaged?
A receipt for a replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged List A, List B or List C document may be presented in lieu of the document for a temporary period.
Source: USCIS, “Form I-9 Acceptable Documents” (uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents), retrieved 2026-10-11. Rules change, so confirm the current list before completing Section 2.