Selective Services

Who Must Register?

With few exceptions, all male United States citizens and male aliens residing in the United States and its territories must register within 30 days of their 18^th birthday. Parolees, refugees, and applicants for asylum are considered to be residents of the United States and therefore must register within 30 days of their 18^th birthday. Disabled men who are able to function in public, with or without assistance, must register. A friend or relative may help a disabled man complete the registration form if he is unable to do so himself. Men cannot register after reaching age 26.

Who Is Exempt From Registration?
	Females
	Lawfully admitted non-immigrant aliens (such as those men on visitor or student visas and members of diplomatic or trade missions and their families) because they are residing in this country temporarily.
	Men who are unable to register due to circumstances beyond their control, such as being hospitalized, institutionalized, or incarcerated. However, they must register within 30 days after their release.
	Members of the Armed Forces on full-time active duty. This exemption also applies to cadets and midshipmen at the United States service academies. However, upon release from active duty, a man must register within 30 days if he is not yet 26 years of age and has not already registered.

When To Register:

The law requires virtually all male U.S. citizens (regardless of where they live), and male immigrants residing in the U.S. (permanent resident aliens), to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

Therefore, to be in full compliance with the law, a man turning 18 is required to register during the period of time beginning 30 days before, until 30 days after his 18th birthday...a 60-day window.

Late registrations are accepted, but not once a man reaches age 26. Men who do not register within the 60-day window are technically in violation of the law and should register as soon as possible.

Early Submission: It is now possible for a man to submit registration information early, as long he is at least 17 years and 3 months old. Selective Service will keep his information on file and process it automatically later in the year, when the man is within 30 days of reaching his 18th birthday. An acknowledgment card will be mailed to the man when his registration is processed. To submit early registration information, follow the same procedures as men who are 18 through 25 years old, listed below.

How Do You Register?

There are several ways a young man can register with the Selective Service System

Registration On-Line

Young men can now register with Selective Service using the Internet. With access to the Internet, any young man can register by clicking on the " Register On Line Now" icon at the Selective Service web site (www.sss.gov). He then enters in some basic information and within seconds, he’ll receive his Selective Service Number. Within about two weeks, he will receive an Registration Acknowledgment Card in the mail.

Verification On-Line

Since Selective Service registration is required for student financial aid, job training, or government employment, officials administering these programs can now verify a young man’s registration by simply clicking on the "Check a Registration" icon at Selective Service home page (www.sss.gov).

The U.S. Post Office

You can visit the nearest U.S. Post Office, pick up a Registration Form, SSS Form 1M(UPO), complete and sign it, and mail it. Registration forms should be on the counter in the post office. If they are not, ask a postal clerk for a Selective Service Registration Form, SSS Form 1M(UPO). You are responsible for placing a stamp on the completed registration form and mail it.

You should receive a Registration Acknowledgment Card from Selective Service within 90 days.

What Are The Benefits?

Federal and many state laws require registration-age men to be registered with Selective Service to remain eligible for applying for the following benefits: student financial aid, government employment, employment with the U.S. Postal Service, job training, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants.

What Happens After You Complete a Registration Form?

You are not officially registered until your registration information is entered into the Selective Service registration file and you have been assigned a Selective Service Number.

You will then receive in the mail a Registration Acknowledgment Card showing the information recorded in your registration file, your Selective Service Number, and a Change of Information Form. If any of the information on your Registration Acknowledgment Card is incorrect, it is important that you correct it and mail the Change of Information Form back to Selective Service. You should keep the registration acknowledgment in a safe place as proof of your registration.

Is Your Record Current?

The law requires that you keep the information in your registration record up to date. It is important that you notify Selective Service within 10 days if there is any change to the information in your registration record. This applies only to men ages 18 through 25.

To notify Selective Service, mark your change(s) on the Change Information Form attached to the Registration Acknowledgment Card and mail it to Selective Service, or complete a Change of Information Form, SSS Form 2, which you can obtain at any U.S. Post Office or U.S. Embassy or Consulate office.

You may also notify Selective Service of any change by letter, but be sure to include your full name, Social Security Account Number, Selective Service Number, and date of birth, as well as your new mailing address.

If you fail to maintain current information in your registration record, you may be found in violation of the Military Selective Service Act and subject to penalties.

What If You Move?

The law requires that you notify Selective Service within 10 days each time you have a change of address.

Will There Be A Draft?

The fact that a man is required to register does not mean that he will be drafted. No one has been drafted since 1973. No one can be ordered for induction by Selective Service unless Congress and the President determine that inductions are necessary. This would most likely occur only in the event of war or a national emergency.

How To Obtain Additional Information?

For additional information on Selective Service registration, visit the SSS web site (www.sss.gov), call (847) 688-6888, or write to:

     Selective Service System
     Registration Information Office
     P.O. Box 94638
     Palatine, IL 60094-4638

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