Our company acquired another company, along with its employees. Are we required to complete Forms I-9 for these employees?

​Employers who have acquired another company or have merged with another company have two options.

  • Option A: Treat all acquired employees as new hires and complete a new Form I-9 for every individual. Enter the effective date of acquisition or merger as the date the employee began employment in Section 2 of the new Form I-9. Avoid engaging in discrimination by completing a new Form I-9 for all of your acquired employees without regard to actual or perceived citizenship status or national origin.
  • Option B: Treat all acquired individuals as employees who are continuing in their uninterrupted employment status and retain the previous owner’s Forms I-9 for each acquired employee. Note that you are liable for any errors or omissions on the previously completed Forms I-9.

You can find more information in the I-9 Form: Verifying Information​ section of the HR Library.​​

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