Launched in March 2011, and subsequently available in 21 states plus the District of Columbia, E-Verify Self Check is now accessible in all other states plus Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Self Check is available in both English and Spanish.

A part of E-Verify, Self Check allows individuals to confirm their eligibility to work in the United States by entering the same information used by employers in performing E-Verify inquiries (i.e., name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, citizenship, and identity and work authorization credentials). Self Check compares this information against the same databases utilized by E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Self Check benefits both workers and businesses, taking the “mystery” out of the employment eligibility verification process and allowing workers to resolve records discrepancies before accepting a new job. Importantly, Self Check is voluntary. Therefore, employers are prohibited from requiring applicants or employees to use the system.

A recent survey found an increase in the percentage of employers using E-Verify to confirm the work authorization of employees. Of those surveyed in 2011, 51% indicated they use E-Verify, as opposed to 28% in 2010.