E-Verify Explained: What Workers Need to Know

E-Verify is an electronic system that compares your Form I-9 information to government records.

How it works:

1. You complete Form I-9 with your employer
2. Employer enters your information into E-Verify
3. E-Verify checks DHS and SSA records
4. The system returns a result

What E-Verify checks:

• Social Security Number matches name and date of birth (SSA)
• Work authorization is valid (DHS)
• Photo match for certain documents

E-Verify is not:

• A background check
• A credit check
• A criminal-history search

E-Verify only checks employment-authorization records.

E-Verify is mandatory for some employers and optional for others:

Required to use E-Verify:

• Federal contractors and subcontractors in covered situations
• Employers in some states or programs

Voluntarily using E-Verify:

• Many large employers choose to participate
• Participation can be part of a broader compliance process

Many staffing apps use E-Verify:

Many staffing apps use E-Verify as part of onboarding. That means your I-9 information is electronically checked and you will be notified if follow-up is needed.

How to know if your employer uses E-Verify:

• Look for the E-Verify participation poster
• Ask during the hiring process
• Check the job posting or onboarding materials

Here's what happens when your employer runs E-Verify:

Step 1: You complete Form I-9

• Fill out Section 1 of Form I-9
• Provide SSN if required by an E-Verify employer
• Present acceptable documents to employer

Step 2: Employer enters information

• Employer completes Section 2
• Employer enters your information into E-Verify
• This must happen within the employer's required timeline

Step 3: E-Verify checks records

System compares against:

• SSA records
• DHS records

Step 4: A result is returned

Many cases resolve quickly, but mismatch and photo-match cases can take longer.

If E-Verify finds a mismatch, you receive a TNC. But don't panic:

What Causes a TNC:

• Name mismatch (spelling, maiden name, changed name)
• SSN entry error
• Date of birth discrepancy
• Recent name change not updated in SSA records
• USCIS records not yet updated
• Citizenship status recently changed

Your Rights During a TNC:

✓ You can continue working while contesting ✓ You cannot be fired solely due to TNC ✓ You have 8 federal business days to decide whether to contest ✓ You choose whether to take action or not

If You Receive a TNC:

1. Employer notifies you in private
2. You receive the Further Action Notice
3. Decide: Contest or don't contest
4. If contesting, you have 8 federal business days to contact SSA or DHS

Two Types of TNCs:

Important: A TNC doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Records sometimes have errors, or recent changes haven't been processed.

If you receive a Tentative Nonconfirmation and choose to contest:

Step 1: Review the Notice

Your employer gives you:

• E-Verify Further Action Notice
• Specific instructions for your TNC type
• Referral letter (DHS cases)

Step 2: Decide to Contest

• You have 8 federal business days to decide
• If you don't contest, employer can terminate
• Contesting preserves your right to work while resolving

Step 3: Contact the Right Agency

For SSA TNC (Social Security mismatch):

• Visit your local SSA office in person
• Bring your Social Security card and photo ID
• Explain the TNC situation
• SSA will verify or correct records

For DHS TNC (Immigration records):

• Call DHS: 888-897-7781
• Or visit uscis.gov/everify
• Provide case number from referral letter
• DHS will investigate and respond

Step 4: Resolution

• Agency resolves the TNC
• E-Verify case is updated
• Employer receives new result

Timeline:

During This Time:

• You continue working normally
• Employer cannot take adverse action
• Document everything

Some documents trigger photo matching in E-Verify:

Documents That Trigger Photo Match:

• U.S. Passport
• Passport Card
• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

How Photo Match Works:

1. E-Verify retrieves photo from government database
2. Employer compares database photo to:
   • Photo on your document
   • Your actual appearance
3. Employer confirms match or reports mismatch

What If Photo Doesn't Match?

Possible reasons:

• Old photo in database (significant appearance change)
• Database hasn't been updated with new document photo
• Document error

If Photo Match Fails:

• Employer will follow E-Verify procedures
• May result in additional verification
• DHS will be notified if needed
• You may need to provide additional documentation

Tips for Photo Match Success:

• Use current, valid documents
• Ensure your appearance is similar to document photo
• If you've changed significantly (weight, hair, etc.), be prepared to explain

Many staffing apps use E-Verify. Here's what to expect:

During onboarding:

1. Download the app
2. Create profile and schedule verification interview
3. Complete Section 1 of Form I-9
4. Present original I-9 documents
5. Your information is submitted to E-Verify

After submission:

• You'll be notified when cleared to book shifts
• If a TNC occurs, the app's support team will contact you with next steps

If You get a TNC:

• You can still work while taking action to resolve it
• Follow the resolution process above
• Keep the app's support team informed of your progress
• Provide documentation once resolved

Tips for smooth verification:

✓ Double-check your SSN before submitting ✓ Use documents with your current legal name ✓ If your name changed recently, update SSA first ✓ Bring original, unexpired documents

Download the app →

See our I-9 Documents List to prepare.

If you've recently changed your name, updated your immigration status, or received a new document, review your records before applying for jobs.

USCIS says workers should make sure the information they put on Form I-9 is accurate, and E-Verify worker guidance says you should contact SSA if you recently changed your name, citizenship, or immigration status.

Good times to check your records:

• After a name change
• After receiving a new EAD or Green Card
• After a citizenship-status update
• After a prior mismatch problem

Practical first steps:

• Review your Social Security card and identification details
• Make sure your legal name matches your records
• Update SSA if your name or status changed
• Review the latest USCIS or E-Verify worker guidance before onboarding