Tentative Nonconfirmation (Mismatch) Overview

Your employer may inform you that your E-Verify case received a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and/or Social Security Administration (SSA) Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch) case result. A DHS and/or SSA mismatch means that the information your employer entered in E-Verify from your Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, did not match records available to DHS and/or SSA. A DHS and/or SSA mismatch case result does not necessarily mean that you are not authorized to work in the United States.

What is a Tentative Nonconfirmation (Mismatch)?

A mismatch means that the information from your Form I-9 that your employer entered into E-Verify does not match records available to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and/or Social Security Administration (SSA. Your employer must inform you that your E-Verify case received a mismatch. It is possible to receive a dual mismatch, which means the case received a mismatch result from both SSA and DHS. A mismatch case result does not necessarily mean that you are not authorized to work in the United States.

What happens after my case receives a mismatch result?

Within 10 federal government working days after E-Verify issues the mismatch case result:

  • Your employer must notify you of a mismatch result and complete the referral process, if applicable.
  • You must decide whether to take action to resolve the mismatch.
  • You must notify your employer of your decision by the 10th federal government working day after E-Verify issued the mismatch result or your employer may close your case in E-Verify.

For additional explanation of the next steps in the mismatch resolution process, including your rights and responsibilities, see How to Process a Tentative Nonconfirmation (Mismatch) Case Result for Employees

Why did my case receive a mismatch result?

A DHS mismatch may occur if:

  • Your name, Alien Registration Number (A-Number or USCIS number), Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) number, and/or foreign passport number differ from those in DHS records.
  • Your U.S. passport, passport card, driver’s license, foreign passport, or state ID card information could not be verified.
  • Your information was not updated in DHS records.
  • Your citizenship or immigration status changed.
  • Your record contains another type of error.
  • Your employer did not enter your information correctly.

An SSA mismatch may occur if:

  • Your citizenship or immigration status was not updated with SSA.
  • You did not report your name change to SSA.
  • Your name, Social Security number, or date of birth is incorrect in SSA records.
  • Your SSA records contain another type of mismatch.
  • Your employer did not enter your information correctly.