E-Verify
What it is
E-Verify is a free web service that lets enrolled employers electronically check newly hired employees’ U.S. work eligibility by comparing Form I-9 information with records available to DHS and/or SSA. Employers can enroll through Employer, E-Verify Employer Agent, Corporate Administrator, or Web Services access. Web Services requires an employer or agent to develop software that creates and manages cases through E-Verify. The service includes photo matching for certain Form I-9 documents and alerts for cases needing closure, case updates, and work authorization documents nearing expiration. E-Verify+ lets participating employers and newly hired employees complete Form I-9 and the verification process collaboratively online. Access uses Login.gov with multifactor authentication. Employers are directed to safeguard employees’ personally identifiable information, and E-Verify annually disposes of records more than 10 years old under its stated schedule. Company enrollment must be completed in one session because progress cannot be saved. Enrolled employers may register any number of users to create cases. A tentative nonconfirmation does not itself establish that an employee is unauthorized to work; employers must notify the employee and follow the referral process. The Contact Center assists with system use and related questions Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.
For and against
For
- Free web service for enrolled employers
- Supports several employer access methods
- Includes photo matching and case alerts
- Allows any number of registered case-creating users
- Uses Login.gov multifactor authentication
Against
- Company enrollment must be completed in one session
- Web Services requires software development
- Employers must follow a referral process for tentative nonconfirmations
The verdict
E-Verify offers a free online eligibility-checking process with multiple access routes and employee participation options. Enrollment constraints and the required handling of tentative nonconfirmations are important considerations for employers.
Who it suits
It suits U.S. employers seeking an electronic process to check newly hired employees’ work eligibility. Employers considering Web Services should be prepared to develop software for creating and managing cases.
Plans and prices
E-Verify
Free internet-based system for U.S. employers to verify newly hired employees
Read 7 Oct 2026 · e-verify.gov
On the record
- Case alerts
- The system displays alerts for cases needing closure, new case updates, and expiring work authorization documents.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Employer access
- Employers can enroll using Employer, E-Verify Employer Agent, Corporate Administrator, or Web Services access methods.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Enrollment constraint
- Company enrollment must be completed in one session because progress cannot be saved if enrollment cannot be completed right away.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- E-Verify+
- E-Verify+ lets participating employers and newly hired employees collaborate electronically to complete Form I-9 and the E-Verify process.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Mismatch handling
- A tentative nonconfirmation mismatch does not necessarily mean the employee is unauthorized to work, and employers must notify the employee and follow the referral process.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Multifactor authentication
- E-Verify implemented multifactor authentication through Login.gov to add another layer to account security.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Photo matching
- Photo matching prompts a user to compare the photo on certain Form I-9 documents with a photo displayed in E-Verify.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy retention
- E-Verify annually disposes of records more than 10 years old under its stated records retention and disposal schedule.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- E-Verify lets enrolled employers electronically confirm newly hired employees’ eligibility to work in the United States by comparing Form I-9 information with records available to DHS and/or SSA.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- E-Verify uses Login.gov for access and directs employers to safeguard employees’ personally identifiable information.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The E-Verify Contact Center assists with system use, password resets, cases, technical support, policies, procedures, Form I-9, and employment eligibility questions, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- User registration
- An enrolled employer can register any number of users to create cases.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
- Web services
- Web Services access requires an employer or agent to develop software that interfaces with E-Verify to create and manage cases.e-verify.gov · read 7 Oct 2026
