How should businesses verify employee eligibility to work?

Verifying Employee Eligibility to Work in New Hampshire

Businesses operating in New Hampshire must verify that all new hires are legally authorized to work in the United States. This process is essential for compliance with federal immigration laws and to avoid potential penalties.

Steps for Employee Eligibility Verification

• Complete Form I-9: Employers must have each new employee complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, no later than the first day of work.
• Review Acceptable Documents: Employers must examine original documents presented by the employee that establish identity and employment authorization. Documents are categorized into List A, or a combination of List B and List C.
• Retain Form I-9: Keep completed I-9 forms on file for all current employees and for a specified period after employment ends (either three years after the hire date or one year after termination, whichever is later).
• Use E-Verify (Optional but Recommended): As of 2026, New Hampshire does not mandate E-Verify enrollment, but businesses can voluntarily use this federal online system to confirm employee work eligibility quickly and accurately.

Operational Considerations for New Hampshire Employers

• Training HR Staff: Ensure hiring managers and HR personnel understand I-9 requirements and document verification to maintain compliance.
• Recordkeeping: Implement organized recordkeeping systems for I-9 forms to support audits and inspections.
• Integration with Payroll: Align eligibility verification with payroll onboarding to prevent unauthorized payments.
• Compliance Updates: Monitor federal immigration policy changes that may affect verification procedures.

Following these steps ensures that New Hampshire businesses maintain lawful hiring practices and streamline operational compliance related to employee eligibility verification.