Citizenship and I-9 Form Requirement

[sf_ba_guy]

Hi,

I have a question about Citizenship and I-9 (Employment Eligibility) form.

After one becomes citizen we get Naturalization certificate. But it looks like Naturalization Certificate is not one of the accepted documentation for employment eligibility (!). To overcome this, we need to get US Passport to prove eligibility to an employer, which might take 2 - 3 weeks time.

Has anyone been in this situation where you need to change jobs right after naturalization and how did you handled it?

Thanks.

 

[baikal3]

Hi,

I have a question about Citizenship and I-9 (Employment Eligibility) form.

After one becomes citizen we get Naturalization certificate. But it looks like Naturalization Certificate is not one of the accepted documentation for employment eligibility (!). To overcome this, we need to get US Passport to prove eligibility to an employer, which might take 2 - 3 weeks time.

Has anyone been in this situation where you need to change jobs right after naturalization and how did you handled it?

Thanks.

You are correct that a naturalization certificate is not an acceptable document for I-9 purposes. That's why it is a good idea to apply for a U.S. passport and/or passport card immediately after naturalization.

If you are really in the situation where you need to fill out an I-9 form immediately after naturalization, but before getting a U.S. passport, you can submit a social security card and a valid driver's license when filling out I-9. Such a combination of documents is acceptable per I-9 instructions.

 

[nkm-oct23]

If you already have a social security card without any work restrictions, that and a Driver license can be used to prove I-9 employment eligibility. You should have got such a card after you became a green card holder.

 

[Jackolantern]

If you are really in the situation where you need to fill out an I-9 form immediately after naturalization, but before getting a U.S. passport, you can submit a social security card and a valid driver's license when filling out I-9. Such a combination of documents is acceptable per I-9 instructions.

Yes, with an unrestricted SS card + driver's license or state ID, it is unnecessary to show a passport for the I-9. If your SS card still has the employment restriction wording on it, visit an SS office to apply for an updated card without the restriction.