E-Verify Laws by State

Author: Brightmine Editorial Team

Several states have passed mandatory E-Verify laws that require businesses to confirm the work eligibility of all new hires using the federal electronic verification system. Employers that fail to follow these mandatory measures may be subject to serious sanctions.

The following chart shows which states have mandatory E-Verify laws that apply to private employers and/or to state contractors and subcontractors. Some states' statutes apply to all employers, while others have a narrower applicability. The chart also provides links to any applicable employee handbook statements that relate to an employer's use of E-Verify.

Jurisdictions that have no requirements beyond federal law regarding E-Verify are marked N/A.

The Employment Law Guide's state Immigration, Form I-9 and Work Visas sections offer additional detailed information regarding each state's E-Verify laws, including employer defenses, enforcement and penalties. Further, guidelines on confirming a new employee's work eligibility using E-Verify can be found in the E-Verify Dos and Don'ts chart.