What Are Supporting Documents for Employment?

Landing your dream job is not an easy feat. Even after you are hired, you will be asked to produce certain documents before employment officially begins.  You can avoid unnecessary stress and delays in employment by preparing or obtaining the documents required by most employees.

As a rule, companies and establishments need to verify that the individual they are hiring is, indeed, legally eligible to hold a job in the U.S. Documents and other paperwork need to be produced, to ensure companies are in compliance with state and federal laws and to verify potential an employee’s identity and other personal details.

The most important thing to remember is that all documents must be original or at least, certified copies. Photocopies or computer printouts will not be accepted, so it is imperative that you secure these first, before sending out resumes.

Form W-4 must be completed, in addition to all post-hiring documents, to ensure new employees are eligible for employment.  Form W-4 requires three types of documents, included on Lists A through C:

• List A is meant to verify employment eligibility and the applicant's identity. Among these documents is a United States passport, a permanent resident card or alien registration receipt or a temporary resident card.


• List B is meant to establish identity.  Documents on this list include a driver's license, issued by the state of residence, Voter’s ID, School ID, U.S. Military Card or Military draft record and Native American Tribal documents.


• List C verifies both identity and eligibility to work.  These documents include an authenticated or certified true copy of a birth certificate, U.S. citizen ID card and certification of birth abroad.