Does E-Verify Cost Anything? What Employers Actually Pay

Does E-Verify cost anything? No—E-Verify itself is free to use.

The federal government does not charge enrollment fees or per-check costs.

However, E-Verify is not "free" in practice for most employers.

Businesses often incur indirect costs related to:

• Staff time and training
• Compliance errors and rework
• Missed deadlines or improper handling of TNCs
• Audit preparation and document management

This is why many employers pair E-Verify with digital I-9 compliance software to reduce operational risk and labor costs.

Related: I-9 Compliance Risk Calculator

What E-Verify Does and Does Not Cost

E-Verify fees: $0

• No setup fees
• No per-employee charges
• No government licensing costs

What E-Verify does not cover:

• Form I-9 completion errors
• Section 2 timing enforcement
• Reverification tracking
• Audit readiness or document retention

This distinction is where most employers underestimate total cost.

The Hidden Costs of Using E-Verify Alone

1. Administrative Time

Manual data entry, tracking deadlines, and responding to E-Verify cases requires trained staff time—especially during high-volume hiring.

2. Compliance Risk

E-Verify does not prevent:

• Late Section 2 completion
• Improper document acceptance
• Missing or outdated I-9 forms

Penalties can reach $28,619 per violation.

Related: I-9 Audit Risk & Fine Exposure.

3. Remote Hiring Friction

E-Verify does not solve remote verification. Employers still need a compliant way to complete Section 2.

Related: Remote I-9 Verification Services.

Is E-Verify Required?

E-Verify is voluntary for many employers—but mandatory in specific cases, including:

• Federal contracts with the FAR E-Verify clause
• State-level E-Verify mandates
• Certain court or agency rulings

When Employers Pay for E-Verify Support

Do Employers Pay for E-Verify Support?

While E-Verify is free, many employers pay for third-party support, such as:

• I-9 compliance software
• Remote Section 2 verification
• Audit preparation and reporting

Related: I-9 Software vs. Manual Compliance.

E-Verify + Digital I-9 Software: Cost Comparison

Using E-Verify alone may seem cheaper—but software often lowers total cost by:

• Reducing compliance errors
• Eliminating rework
• Preventing audit penalties
• Supporting remote hiring at scale