Yes, individuals can run a check on their own employment eligibility through a service specifically designed for self-verification, known as E-Verify Self Check.
What is E-Verify Self Check?
E-Verify Self Check is a complementary service to the employer-based E-Verify system, allowing individuals to proactively confirm their own work authorization in the United States. This service is voluntary, fast, free, and simple, empowering you to verify the information that employers see when they run E-Verify on new hires. It's a valuable tool for ensuring your records are accurate and addressing any potential issues before seeking employment.
Benefits of Using E-Verify Self Check
Utilizing Self Check offers several advantages for individuals:
- Proactive Verification: Confirm your employment eligibility status before applying for jobs, preventing surprises during the hiring process.
- Error Correction: Identify and correct any discrepancies or outdated information in your government records (such as those with the Social Security Administration or Department of Homeland Security) that might affect your work authorization.
- Peace of Mind: Gain confidence knowing your employment eligibility is accurately reflected in the system.
- Accessibility: It's a free online service, making it readily available to anyone with internet access.
How Does E-Verify Self Check Work?
The process for using E-Verify Self Check is straightforward:
- Access the Service: Visit the official E-Verify Self Check website, typically found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
- Provide Information: You will be prompted to enter personal information, including your name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), and potentially other identity documents (like a U.S. passport or Alien Registration Number, if applicable).
- Answer Security Questions: To protect your identity, the system will ask a series of knowledge-based authentication questions based on your credit history or public records.
- Receive Results: After submitting your information, the system will compare it against records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). You will then receive an immediate preliminary result indicating your employment eligibility status.
- Address Discrepancies (if any): If your information does not match government records, you will receive a Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC). The system will provide instructions on how to contact the relevant agency (SSA or DHS) to resolve the discrepancy, usually within a specified timeframe. Resolving a TNC through Self Check can prevent issues when an employer runs E-Verify later.
Important Considerations
While E-Verify Self Check is a powerful tool, keep the following in mind:
- Voluntary Use: Employers cannot require you to use Self Check. It is entirely your decision.
- Not a Job Requirement: Using Self Check does not fulfill an employer's requirement to use E-Verify for new hires. Employers must still complete their own E-Verify query for new employees.
- Privacy and Security: The Self Check system employs robust security measures to protect your personal information.
- No Impact on Immigration Status: Using Self Check does not change or grant immigration status; it only verifies existing eligibility based on current records.
By proactively using E-Verify Self Check, individuals can empower themselves with accurate information regarding their employment eligibility, streamlining the job search process and addressing potential hurdles before they arise.
