What to do if you receive an E-Verify mismatch notice

Last updated: August 31, 2026

Applies to: US W-2 employees. E-Verify checks are based on Form I-9, which is a US employment requirement — so independent contractors, Canadian T4 employees and international workers do not complete one and will never receive a mismatch notice.

Summary: An E-Verify mismatch means the information from your Form I-9 did not match government records. It is not a decision that you are not authorized to work — but it does have a deadline, and ignoring it will end your assignment. Here is what it means and what you need to do.

What a mismatch actually is

Because Ascen participates in E-Verify, the information you provided on your Form I-9 is checked against records held by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If what you entered does not line up with what those agencies have on file, E-Verify returns a mismatch (also called a tentative nonconfirmation).

A mismatch is a records discrepancy, not a verdict. It often comes from something ordinary — a typo in a name, date of birth, or document number; a name that changed after marriage or a legal name change but was never updated with SSA; or a document number entered from the wrong place on a document. You have the right to contest it, and many mismatches are resolved and the case is confirmed.

What you need to do

  1. Read the notice we sent you and check every detail. Compare the name, date of birth, Social Security number, and document details against your actual documents, character by character. A surprising number of mismatches are a single wrong digit or a missing middle name.

  2. If you find an error, tell us right away. Email support@ascen.com with the correction. Some errors can be fixed and the case re-submitted without you having to contact a government agency.

  3. If the information is correct, tell us whether you will take action. You must let us know within the window stated in your notice whether you intend to contest the mismatch. This step is required — we cannot decide it for you.

  4. If you choose to take action, contact the agency named in your notice (SSA or DHS) and follow the instructions provided with it. Your notice explains which agency to contact and how.

The deadline is real

The dates written in your notice are the ones that count. E-Verify sets limited windows — first to tell us whether you will contest the mismatch, then a further short period to contact SSA or DHS. Your notice states your specific dates.

If you do not respond by the deadline, or you tell us you will not take action, your assignment will be suspended and your employment may be ended. If that happens, it can generally be reinstated once the issue is resolved or the required documentation is provided — so it is always worth responding, even if you are late.

You may keep working while you are contesting a mismatch. A mismatch by itself is not a reason for us to stop assigning you work.

Getting help

If anything in the notice is unclear, or you are not sure whether the details are correct, email support@ascen.com before the deadline passes. Tell us what you are seeing and we will walk you through it.

Official references: E-Verify | Form I-9 (USCIS)

Who to contact

  • Ascen — support@ascen.com: the mismatch notice, corrections to your information, deadlines, and your assignment status.

  • SSA or DHS: resolving the underlying records issue, as directed in your notice.

  • Your staffing Partner: your schedule and shifts.

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