How to Get E-Verified as an Employer: Step-by-Step Enrollment Guide
E-Verify enrollment is required for federal contractors, state-mandated employers, and anyone hiring STEM OPT workers. Here's how to complete it in one session.
E-Verify enrollment is straightforward, but the session can't be saved midway and a missing document means starting over. If you're enrolling because of a state mandate, a federal contract, or a new STEM OPT hire, this guide covers what to gather and how to complete the process in one session.
Key takeaways
- E-Verify is completely free with no enrollment fee or per-verification charges.
- Twenty-two states mandate E-Verify for some or all employers, and nine of those require it for every employer regardless of size.
- Employers hiring STEM OPT workers must be enrolled in E-Verify to sign Form I-983.
- Enrollment takes 15 to 30 minutes and requires completing the process in one web session.
- Federal contractors with the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) E-Verify clause must enroll within 30 days of contract award.
What is E-Verify
E-Verify electronically compares data from an employee's Form I-9 against DHS and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility.
Form I-9 is the employment eligibility verification document all U.S. employers must complete for every new hire. The system returns results in three to five seconds and is free to use.
E-Verify doesn't replace Form I-9. It's an additional verification layer that runs after an employer completes the I-9 process. The employer finishes Form I-9 first, then enters the employee's information into E-Verify for electronic confirmation.
E-Verify company requirements
The enrollment session cannot be saved midway, so make sure to gather the following items before you start.
| Item needed | Where to find it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company legal name | Business registration documents | Must match IRS records |
| Employer Identification Number (EIN) | IRS Form SS-4 or IRS correspondence | Nine-digit number |
| Physical and mailing addresses | Company records | Must include all locations |
| Hiring site locations | Internal HR records | Each site where I-9s are completed |
| Employee count | Payroll records | Current total |
| NAICS code | Census Bureau NAICS search tool | Six-digit industry classification |
| Signatory contact | Authorized company representative | Signs the MOU |
| Program administrator | Designated system user | Manages day-to-day E-Verify cases |
Federal contractors: also have your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) ready before enrolling.
The signatory and program administrator can be the same person. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the agreement between your company and DHS that governs how you'll use E-Verify, and you'll sign it during enrollment. If you're unsure about your NAICS code, look it up on the Census Bureau's website before starting.
How to enroll in E-Verify
The E-Verify enrollment process includes 10 steps and must be completed in one web session.
What is E-Verify+
E-Verify+ is an enhanced version of the standard system that combines Form I-9 completion and E-Verify verification into a single digital workflow.
E-Verify+ is available only to employers who select the Employer access method during enrollment. It is not available for Web Services accounts or E-Verify Employer Agents.
Follow these 10 enrollment steps:
1. Visit the enrollment website and accept the terms of use
2. Create a new company account
3. Check your email for the activation link and click it
4. Review the enrollment checklist
5. Choose your account access type: most companies should select "Employer." Choose "Agent" only if you verify employees on behalf of other companies. "Corporate Admin" is for large multi-site employers that want centralized management. "Web Services" is for tech integrations.
6. Select your employer category (federal contractor, government, or none)
7. Enter your company information
8. Provide your company addresses
9. Add hiring site location information
10. Add your signatory and program administrator
The entire process takes about 15 to 30 minutes when you have all documents ready. The enrollment portal is not optimized for mobile. Use a desktop browser, and don't close the browser tab until you've finished every step.
After enrollment: what happens next
After you submit enrollment, DHS processes your application and sends your E-Verify company ID number by email. This is a unique identifier for your organization, not for individual employees.
The program administrator account is activated at this point, and the administrator must complete mandatory E-Verify tutorial training before running any cases. Training is available online within the E-Verify system and covers how to create cases, read results, and handle Tentative Nonconfirmations. Most employers complete training within one to two hours of receiving account access.
Who is required to use E-Verify
E-Verify is required for three categories of employers: those operating in one of 22 mandate states, companies with federal contracts that include the FAR E-Verify clause, and employers hiring STEM OPT workers.
- State-mandated employers: Those in states that require E-Verify by law, with thresholds varying by state
- Federal contractors: Companies with contracts that include the FAR E-Verify clause
- STEM OPT employers: Any employer hiring a worker on a STEM OPT extension
Federal contractor requirements
Federal contractors with the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) E-Verify clause must enroll within 30 days of contract award. Not all contracts trigger this requirement. Four categories are exempt, and a contract qualifies if it meets any one of these conditions:
- Contracts under 120 days in duration
- Contracts at or below $150,000
- Contracts where all work is performed outside the U.S.
- Contracts for commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items only
STEM OPT employer requirement
STEM OPT is a 24-month work authorization extension for F-1 graduates with qualifying STEM degrees. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and in good standing to hire workers on this extension. Without enrollment, an employer can't sign Form I-983, the training plan required for the STEM OPT extension.
This requirement catches many employers off guard. Companies often don't learn about it until an employee requests the extension, and enrollment can't happen retroactively for a deadline that's already passed.
E-Verify requirements by state
Check the table below to see whether your state requires E-Verify and what employee threshold applies to your company.
| State | Who must use E-Verify | Employee threshold |
|---|---|---|
| AL, AZ, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, UT | All employers | None |
| FL | All private employers (2023 mandate) | 25+ employees |
| CO, ID, IN, MI, MO, NE, OK, TX, VA, WV | Public employers and/or certain private employers | Varies by state |
| MN, PA | Limited mandates for specific employer categories | Varies |
State requirements change frequently, with several states expanding mandates in recent years. Check the NCSL state E-Verify tracker for current state-by-state details, including employee thresholds and enforcement dates.
How E-Verify works for employers
Employers must create an E-Verify case within three business days of an employee's start date. For certain documents (Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Document, and U.S. passport or passport card), E-Verify triggers a photo matching step where the employer compares the document photo against one displayed on screen.
Employers must close every E-Verify case after a final employment eligibility determination. Leaving cases open is a compliance violation. Employers must also retain Form I-9 records and corresponding E-Verify case records for three years from the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later.
What to do if you get a mismatch
A Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) is the formal term for an E-Verify mismatch, meaning the system couldn't immediately confirm an employee's work eligibility.
When a TNC occurs, the employer must notify the employee in writing and give them the opportunity to contest. The employee has 10 federal government working days from TNC issuance to decide whether to contest.
If they choose to contest and the case is referred to SSA or DHS, they then have 8 federal government working days to contact the relevant agency and begin resolving the issue.
The employer can't fire, suspend, or take any adverse action against the employee during the resolution period.
Employees can also use myE-Verify to check their own E-Verify records, Self Lock their Social Security number to prevent misuse, and review case history before starting a new job.
E-Verify and hiring international talent
If you plan to sponsor workers for H-1B visas or hire on STEM OPT, E-Verify enrollment is a prerequisite, not optional paperwork you can do later.
Once enrollment is complete, DHS sends an MOU confirmation and you can begin running E-Verify cases immediately. Your next step is to create a case for every new hire within three business days of their start date.
Frequently asked questions
What is an E-Verify number?
An E-Verify number is your company's unique identification number assigned after enrollment is complete. It identifies your organization, not individual employees. You may also see it called your company ID number within the system. You'll use it for compliance documentation and when contacting E-Verify support.
Is E-Verify free for employers?
Yes, E-Verify is completely free. There's no enrollment fee, no per-verification charge, and no subscription cost.
How long does E-Verify enrollment take?
Enrollment takes about 15 to 30 minutes if you have all required information ready. If you don't already have a Login.gov account, budget an extra 5 to 10 minutes to create one before starting, since a Login.gov account is required to access E-Verify. You can't save progress mid-session, so gather your EIN, NAICS code, and signatory details before you begin.
Do employers need E-Verify for STEM OPT employees?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is mandatory for employers hiring STEM OPT workers. You must be enrolled and in good standing to sign Form I-983, the training plan required for the STEM OPT extension. Without active enrollment, you can't employ a worker on this extension.
What happens if E-Verify returns a mismatch?
E-Verify returns a Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) when it can't immediately confirm work eligibility. The employer's obligation is to notify the employee in writing and give them 10 federal government working days to resolve the issue at SSA or DHS. If the employee contests and resolves the mismatch, the case closes as Employment Authorized. If the employee doesn't contest or contests but can't resolve the discrepancy, it becomes a Final Nonconfirmation and the employer may terminate employment.
Can an employer use E-Verify before making a job offer?
No. Pre-offer verification is not permitted under E-Verify rules. Employers may only create a case after a new hire accepts the position and completes Form I-9. Using E-Verify to screen applicants before making a job offer violates anti-discrimination provisions enforced by the Department of Justice's Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER), which can result in civil penalties.
About the Author
Founder & CEO @ Migrate Mate
I moved from Australia to the United States in 2023. I have had 3 jobs, and 3 different visas. I started Migrate Mate to help people like me find their dream job in the USA & help them get visa sponsorship.
