If you’re 18-26 years old, male in the US, and must enroll with Selective Service. It is a government mandate to help keep an inventory of who might be called into the military in the event of war. But with key exceptions, registration ceases at the age of 26 for a male.
When Do I Need to Sign Up for Selective Service?
Males generally must apply for Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. That is to say, you will need to register if you are a US citizen or a U.S. resident male (18–26 years old). But you don’t need to register if you are over 26, or under certain exceptions.
Exemptions to the Selective Service Requirement.
You don’t have to sign up for Selective Service if:
- You are over 26 years old. You can’t register once you are 26 years old.
- If You weren’t born in the US from 18-26. You don’t need to register if you are out of the U.S. at this time.
- You were in the US from 18 to 26 and for the entire time were lawful nonimmigrant (eg, student or visa worker). If that is you, there is no registration required.
You were born after March 29, 1957, and before December 31, 1959.
Where Can I Sign Up for Selective Service?
There are a couple of quick ways to register for Selective Service if you must:
- Register online: You can apply online via the Selective Service System website.
- By Mail: Send in a registration card that you might have received or visit your nearest post office to join.
- Phone Number: (847) 688-6888 to confirm registration or get assistance.
When you are done with the registration, you will receive a confirmation card. This card is proof that you were a registered Selective Service member.
If You’re Not Registered — What Does That Mean?
Failure to register with Selective Service can spell disaster, especially if you’re trying to become a U.S. citizen or naturalized person. You can refuse to register or not register at all, and USCIS will deny you a naturalization application on the grounds of not having Good Moral Character. It is the process to become a U.S. citizen.
- You will not be naturalized if you haven’t registered by the time you turn 26.
- If you did not register but you have between 26-31, you can still apply for citizenship. You will have to show that you did not intentionally or purposefully fail to register or that you were not required to register in the first place.
- If you are older than 31, you can still naturalize even if you never registered because you only need to register up until age 26.
How to Prove You Registered
If you’re trying to become a U.S citizen and you’re required to demonstrate that you are registered with Selective Service, you can show:
- An SSS confirming letter.
- Selective Service status information letter, which tells you if you had to register and whether or not you did.
- An acknowledgment card from Selective Service stating you’ve been registered.
What If USCIS Didn’t Help You Apply?
Sometimes, if you file for adjustment of status (changing your immigration status), USCIS can help submit your registration data to Selective Service on your behalf. If you did not receive your confirmation or card, you can ask the Selective Service System to send it re-sent directly.
Short of it, you must apply for Selective Service if you are a U.S. male 18-26 years old unless you qualify for one of the exemptions above. If you don’t register, you could be barred from applying for U.S. citizenship, so make sure you do. Please note that if you have any concerns or queries you can simply confirm your registration status or contact Selective Service or USCIS.
By learning about it and going through the registration process you’ll prevent issues and you’ll be sure you are ready for citizenship or other forms of immigration.
