education and learning | May 27, 2026

How do you register for the Selective Service System when you are 18?

What Happens If You Don't Register for Selective Service. If you are required to register and you don't, you will not be eligible for federal student aid, federal job training, or a federal job. You may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or jail time of up to five years.

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In this manner, are you automatically registered for Selective Service when you turn 18?

Virtually all male U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, residing in the United States, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. The law says men must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

Secondly, what happens if I do not register for Selective Service? What Happens If You Don't Register for Selective Service. If you are required to register and you don't, you will not be eligible for federal student aid, federal job training, or a federal job. You may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or jail time of up to five years.

Then, how do you register for Selective Service when you turn 18?

Register here if you're a man 18 – 25 years old with a social security number. Selective Service accepts early registrations as young as 17 years and 3 months. Print, complete and mail the Form 1 to register if you do not have a social security number.

Who is required to register for Selective Service?

Registration is required for federal (and some state) loans, grants, and scholarships. Also, Selective Service registration is required for eligibility for U.S. citizenship and government jobs, such as a postal worker, computer technician, policeman, budget specialist, and others.

Related Question Answers

Does the Selective Service automatically register you?

Law requires all men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register for the Selective Service, except for current patients of hospitals or mental institutions, the imprisoned, disabled men who cannot reasonably leave their homes or move about independently, students at military academies, holders of non-immigrant United

Can an only son be drafted?

Contrary to popular belief, "only sons," "the last son to carry the family name," and "sole surviving sons" must register for the draft, they can be drafted, and they can serve in combat. However, they may be entitled to a peacetime deferment if there is a military death in the immediate family.

At what age can you no longer be drafted?

The Selective Service Act of 1948, enacted in June of that year, created a new and separate system, the basis for the modern system. All men 18 years and older had to register with Selective Service. All men between the ages of 18 to 26 were eligible to be drafted for a service requirement of 21 months.

Can you be exempt from Selective Service?

Men who are exempt do not have a Selective Service registration number and are in compliance with federal law. With very few exceptions, all males between ages 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service System (SSS) within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

Do females have to register for Selective Service?

As of January 2016, there has been NO decision to require females to register with Selective Service, or be subject to a future military draft. Selective Service continues to register only men, ages 18 through 25.

Who is exempt from the draft?

Who is exempt from selective service? Men who are not between the ages of 18 and 26. That's about it. If you are a permanent resident, regardless of citizenship status, you are expected to register for the selective service, says Winkie.

Can a 28 year old be drafted?

Normally is included men between the age of 18 and 27, but in WWII men between 18 and 60 had to register for the draft and men between 18 and 45 were actually drafted. Carter re-instated the requirement in 1980 that all men between the age of 18 and 28 register with the selective service system.

How do I know if I registered for Selective Service?

How do I find out if I am registered for Selective Service? Go to and click on Check Registration. Click on Verify Now. Enter your information in the Online Registration Search grid.

Do you get paid if you get drafted?

A military draft forces people to do something they would not necessarily choose—serve in the military. If, for example, pay would have to be $15,000 per year to attract sufficient volunteers, but these volunteers are instead drafted at $7,000 per year, the draftees pay a tax of $8,000 per year each.

How do you avoid getting drafted?

Here are 11 ways people beat the draft in the 1970s.
  1. Be a Conscientious Objector.
  2. Make up a health condition.
  3. Have children who need you.
  4. Be a homosexual.
  5. Run away to Canada.
  6. Go to college.
  7. Have a high lottery number.
  8. Hold an "essential" civilian job.

Is the draft still a thing?

The draft came to an end when the United States Armed Forces moved to an all-volunteer military. Men are considered no longer draft eligible at age 26; for this to change, the United States Congress would have to amend the law.

Can you be drafted at age 35?

Present - The U.S. currently operates under an all-volunteer armed forces policy. All male citizens between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register for the draft and are liable for training and service until the age of 35.

What are the chances of getting drafted?

Since more than 60% the people in the military in ww2 were volunteers you're looking at less than 4% chance of being drafted. Obviously if you're 18–22 and male you chances go way up but I have no idea how old you are or your sex so I went with the numbers over the population.

How do you sign up for Selective Service?

Go to the Selective Service website up to 30 days after you turn 18. To get to the form, visit You have until your 25th birthday to register, but you should do this right after you turn 18, as it is the law. Complete the online form in its entirety.

What happens if you dodge the draft?

Draft Evasion Penalty If you're tried and convicted of failing to comply with the Military Selective Service Act, you will be guilty of a felony offense. You could be subject to a fine of up to a quarter of a million dollars, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

Can police officers get drafted?

Uh, no. The US hasn't drafted anyone since the 1970s. So, if no one gets drafted, obviously, no officers will be drafted. Now, back when we had the draft, or conscription, there was time when you could be drafted.

Can you register for selective service after 26?

MEN 26 AND OLDER — Born 1960 and Later According to law, a man must register with Selective Service within 30 days of his 18th birthday. Selective Service accepts late registrations up until a man reaches his 26th birthday.

How long does it take to get a Selective Service status letter?

3 to 4 weeks

What is Selective Service registration proof?

Every man who is registered with the Selective Service System will receive a registration acknowledgement letter with a registration card in the mail from Selective Service. This is proof of your registration. The top portion of this registration acknowledgement letter is the change of information form.