What documents do I need to show I can work?

Asked by: Theodore Runte Sr.  |  Last update: March 25, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (45 votes)

To show you can work in the U.S., you need documents for the USCIS I-9 Form proving both identity and employment eligibility, usually by providing one List A document, or one List B (identity) and one List C (eligibility) document; common examples include a U.S. Passport (List A), a Driver's License (List B) plus a Social Security Card (List C), or a Permanent Resident Card (List A).

What documents do I need for proof of work?

Proof of employment documents include official letters from employers, pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, and bank statements, used to verify a person's job, income, and dates of employment for things like loans, housing, or new jobs. Key documents often requested are an Employment Verification Letter, detailing title, salary, and dates, alongside financial records like recent Pay Stubs, W-2 Forms, and Bank Statements.
 

What document shows you can work in the US?

Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are authorized to work in the United States for a specific time period.

What three documents will you need before you apply for work?

Birth certificate (original or notarized, not a photocopy) Social security card. Voter's registration card.

What are two documents that employers may ask for to confirm your eligibility to work?

Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization

  • U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card.
  • Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551) ...
  • Foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa.

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29 related questions found

Can I use a copy of my social security card for a job?

According to the IRS, “You should ask the employee to show you his or her Social Security card.” While the IRS does not say you should “require” that employees show you the card, you can certainly request that they do so. If the employee provides you with the card, you can make a photocopy of it.

What paperwork do I need for a new job?

For a new job, you'll need documents for the I-9 form (proof of identity and work eligibility, like a passport or driver's license + Social Security card), a W-4 form (for tax withholding), bank info for direct deposit, and potentially your Social Security card, birth certificate, or professional licenses, depending on the role and employer. Always bring original documents and check with your employer for their specific requirements. 

What is a proof of work eligibility document?

Proof of eligibility shall be in the form of a Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian certificate of permanent residence, Canadian open work permit or receipt from Immigration Canada of an application for a post-graduate work permit.

What is the best proof of employment?

Other documents that employees may be able to use to support proof of their employment include:

  • Official pay stubs.
  • Bank statements.
  • Tax returns from the previous two years.

How to make a proof of employment?

When writing an employment verification letter, you should include the following basic information:

  1. Employer address.
  2. Company name and address.
  3. Employee name(s) and surname.
  4. Employment dates.
  5. Former or current job title and description.
  6. Employment history.
  7. A former employee should include eligibility for rehiring.

What is considered proof of work authorization?

An EAD gives a person legal status to work in the United States but has fewer privileges than a green card. It shows an expiration date (usually one year from date issued) and is renewable. Any alien with a valid Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 or Form I-688B) can be issued a Social Security number.

What three documents will you need before accepting a job offer?

An introduction to work documents

  • Proof of identification.
  • I-9 form.
  • W-4 form.
  • Direct deposit.

Do I need my birth certificate to work?

The employer must also see proof of authorization to work such as a U.S. Social Security card (a Social Security card that says “Not Valid for Employment” is not acceptable), a birth certificate showing birth in the U.S. or a valid Immigration document showing work authorization such as an employment authorization card ...

What can I provide as proof of work?

You can prove your right to work by showing your employer your British or Irish passport. It doesn't matter if your passport has expired. If you don't have a British or Irish passport, you can use a valid passport from another country.

What two forms of ID do I need to get a job?

Acceptable documents include: Driver's license or identification card issued by a State or outlying possession of the United States that has your photo and information like your name, your date of birth, sex, height, eye color and home address.

What documents do I need for the first day of work?

Necessary documents

Make sure you have all required documents, such as identification, work permits, tax forms, and banking information. Human resources (HR) will usually request that you bring these documents on your first day. Double-check with the HR team if you're still unsure what you will need to bring.

What is the 30 60 90 rule for a new job?

The 30-60-90 day rule for a new job is a strategic action plan that breaks your first three months into phases: Days 1-30 (Learning) focuses on absorbing company culture, processes, and meeting people; Days 31-60 (Contributing) involves taking on more responsibility and applying knowledge; and Days 61-90 (Executing) focuses on independent performance, delivering results, and identifying long-term contributions, effectively setting you up to become a fully integrated, impactful employee.
 

Can I use a picture of my birth certificate for a job?

You may only accept an original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or outlying possession of the United States that bears an official seal.

What can I use instead of a Social Security card for employment?

For employment verification (Form I-9), you can use other documents that prove your identity and work authorization, like a U.S. Passport, a driver's license + birth certificate, or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD); you don't always need the physical Social Security card, but you must provide documents from lists A, B, or C on the USCIS I-9 Central website that show you are authorized to work. 

How do you know if your SSN is valid for employment?

Social Security Number Verifications

Social Security offers two options to verify Social Security numbers: The Social Security Number Verification Service - This free online service allows registered users to verify that the names and Social Security numbers of hired employees match Social Security's records.

What can I show as proof of employment?

The most common proof of employment is an employment verification letter from an employer that includes the employee's dates of employment, job title, and salary. It's also often called a "letter of employment," a "job verification letter," or a "proof of employment letter."

What two documents must be completed by your employer when you are newly hired and what is the purpose of each?

The two essential documents employers must complete for new hires are the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to confirm legal authorization to work in the U.S., and the Form W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate) to determine correct federal income tax withholding from paychecks. The I-9 verifies identity and work authorization using acceptable documents, while the W-4 informs the employer how much tax to deduct from wages. 

What is a work eligibility document?

Use Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.