Last Updated: April 2026
Researched by the I9AuditReady Research Team
I-9 List B Documents — Identity Documents (2026)
List B documents establish an employee's identity only. USCIS recognizes 9 List B documents for Form I-9 as of the current USCIS instructions (Rev. 08/01/23). A List B document must always be combined with a List C employment authorization document — a driver's license alone is not sufficient for I-9 verification.
List B must be paired with List C
A List B document establishes identity only. To complete I-9 verification, the employee must also present one List C employment authorization document. If the employee has a List A document instead, no List B or C is needed.
All 9 List B Documents
Each document below proves identity only. Must be combined with a List C document.
| Document |
|---|
| Driver's License or ID Card (state-issued) State Department of Motor Vehicles Identity only |
| ID Card issued by federal, state, or local government agency Federal, state, or local government agency or entity Identity only |
| School ID Card with Photograph Educational institution Identity only |
| Voter Registration Card State or county election authority Identity only |
| U.S. Military Card or Draft Record U.S. Department of Defense Identity only |
| Military Dependent's ID Card U.S. Department of Defense Identity only |
| U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card U.S. Coast Guard Identity only |
| Native American Tribal Document Federally recognized tribal authority Identity only |
| Canadian Driver's License or ID Card Canadian provincial government Identity only |
List B Document Details
Driver's License or ID Card (state-issued)
Issued by: State Department of Motor Vehicles · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #1
Must include a photograph or identifying information (name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color, address). Must not be expired.
ID Card issued by federal, state, or local government agency
Issued by: Federal, state, or local government agency or entity · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #2
Must contain a photograph or identifying information. Does not include a driver's license or state ID.
School ID Card with Photograph
Issued by: Educational institution · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #3
Must contain a photograph of the employee.
Voter Registration Card
Issued by: State or county election authority · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #4
U.S. Military Card or Draft Record
Issued by: U.S. Department of Defense · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #5
Military Dependent's ID Card
Issued by: U.S. Department of Defense · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #6
U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
Issued by: U.S. Coast Guard · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #7
Native American Tribal Document
Issued by: Federally recognized tribal authority · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #8
When used as a List B document, also serves as a List C document simultaneously.
Canadian Driver's License or ID Card
Issued by: Canadian provincial government · USCIS I-9 Instructions, List B #9
For nonimmigrant aliens authorized to work.
Frequently Asked Questions About List B Documents
What are the List B documents for Form I-9?
USCIS recognizes 9 List B identity documents for Form I-9. These include: (1) Driver's license or ID card issued by a state, (2) Government-issued ID card with photo or identifying information, (3) School ID card with photograph, (4) Voter registration card, (5) U.S. Military card or draft record, (6) Military dependent's ID card, (7) U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card, (8) Native American tribal document, and (9) Canadian driver's license (for nonimmigrant aliens authorized to work). List B documents must be combined with a List C employment authorization document.
Can a driver's license be used for I-9 verification?
Yes. A valid, unexpired driver's license issued by any U.S. state is a List B identity document for Form I-9. It must include a photograph or identifying information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color, and address. A driver's license alone does not satisfy I-9 requirements — it must be combined with a List C employment authorization document, such as an unrestricted Social Security card or U.S. birth certificate.
Does a school ID count as an I-9 document?
Yes, with conditions. A school ID card is a List B identity document for Form I-9, but it must contain a photograph of the employee. A school ID without a photo is not acceptable. Like all List B documents, it must be combined with a List C document for employment authorization.
What if an employee only has a List B document?
A List B document alone is not sufficient for I-9 verification. It only establishes identity, not employment authorization. The employee must also present a List C document (such as an unrestricted Social Security card, U.S. birth certificate, or DHS employment authorization document) to complete the I-9. Alternatively, the employee can present a single List A document instead.
Can a Canadian driver's license be used for I-9?
Yes. A Canadian driver's license or ID card is an acceptable List B identity document for nonimmigrant aliens who are authorized to work in the United States. It must still be combined with a List C document for employment authorization. This applies to nonimmigrant aliens — Canadian citizens working under TN status, for example.
Are your employees' I-9 documents still valid?
Expired documents are a critical violation during an ICE audit. I9AuditReady tracks every document expiration date and alerts you before it becomes a problem.
Check Your Audit Score FreeI9AuditReady provides compliance tracking tools, not legal advice. Document lists are based on USCIS Form I-9 instructions (Rev. 08/01/23). Laws and guidance can change. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice on your specific situation.