How Do I Register with Selective Service?

What is Selective Service Registration?

Selective Service registration allows the United States Government to maintain a list of names of men who may be called into military service in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of the U.S. Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the Selective Service can ensure that any future draft will be fair and equitable.

Federal law requires that men who are at least 18 years old, but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with Selective Service. This includes all male non-citizens within these age limits who permanently reside in the United States. Men with "green cards" (lawful permanent residents) must register. Men living in the United States without INS documentation (undocumented aliens) must also register. But men cannot register after reaching age 26.

Why Do I Need to Register with the Selective Service?

Failure to register for the Selective Service may (in certain instances) make you ineligible for certain immigration benefits, such as citizenship.

• For instructions on registering with Selective Service as an immigrant, please see the Selective Service System's "Registration Information."
  
  
• If you would like to confirm that you or someone else are registered with Selective Service, please see the Selective Service System's "Check a Registration" Webpage.
  
  
• If you would like answers to frequently asked questions about Selective Service, please see the Selective Service System's "Frequently Asked Questions" Webpage.