What is Form I-9 for household employees?

Form I-9 is the federal employment eligibility verification form. The IRS says that when you hire a household employee to work for you on a regular basis, you and the employee must each complete your part of Form I-9. The form is separate from payroll tax forms such as Form W-2 or Schedule H. IRS Publication 926, “Can Your Employee Legally Work in the United States?”.

Who does what?

The employee completes and signs Section 1 no later than the first day of work for pay. The employer reviews the documents the employee chooses from the form's acceptable-document lists and completes Section 2 within three business days after that first day. If the job will last fewer than three business days, the USCIS instructions give a different Section 2 deadline: the first day of employment. Read the current USCIS Form I-9 instructions before completing the form.

The employee chooses which acceptable documents to present. The employer must not demand a particular document to prove citizenship or work authorization. The USCIS instructions explain the document choices and anti-discrimination rule. If an agency or another business employs the worker, establish who is the employer for this process rather than assuming that the household completes the agency's forms. USCIS Form I-9 instructions; IRS Publication 926.

Use the current form and keep it securely

Get the form and instructions from USCIS Form I-9 Central, rather than an old copy saved on a computer. USCIS says that, beginning August 1, 2026, employers should use the version with the May 31, 2027 expiration date. The IRS says to keep the completed household employee I-9 in your records; do not send it to the IRS, USCIS, or another agency as part of ordinary completion. Protect the worker's personal information and check the USCIS retention instructions when setting your records schedule. USCIS Forms Updates; IRS Publication 926.

Where this fits in the hiring process

First identify the actual working relationship. Then check the current I-9 instructions, arrange the first-day and document-review steps, and keep the completed form with restricted access. For broader preparation, use the before-hiring guide and the household payroll starting checklist.

Information only: This is a federal starting guide, not a determination of whether a particular casual, agency, or other arrangement requires Form I-9. Check current USCIS guidance and get qualified advice for unusual arrangements. Source review: October 18, 2026; no specialist sign-off.