SELECTIVE SERVICE

Who Must Register with Selective Service

Almost all men age 18-25 who are U.S. citizens or are immigrants living in the U.S. are required to be registered with Selective Service. U.S. law calls for citizens to register within 30 days of turning 18 and immigrants to register within 30 days of arriving in the U.S.

Men in the U.S. on student, visitor, or diplomatic visas and women are not required to register. For other exemptions and for transgender people, see the Who Must Register chart.

Selective Service System - It’s Your Country. Protect it.When you register with the selective service, you’re helping ensure a secure future for your community and the United States of America.

Registration with the Selective Service is not only important for the safety of our country, but it ensures that young men have every opportunity to succeed in life by getting the benefits linked to registration.

This includes:

Federal student aid
All federal jobs
Career training through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Citizenship up to 5 years sooner

Registration is not the same as enlisting with the US Armed Forces, and, as there is no draft at present, young men who register with the selective service will not automatically be inducted into the military.

How to Register with the Selective Service System

There are several ways to register with Selective Service. You can:

Print out the registration form (PDF, Download Adobe Reader), complete it, and mail it to the address on the form

Get a registration form at the post office, complete it, and mail it in

Complete the reminder mail back card if you receive one in the mail around your 18th birthday

Find out if your high school has a teacher or staff member designated as a Selective Service registrar who can help

Get help from your nearest U.S. embassy or consular office if you’re a U.S. citizen living overseas

Washington

The bill was signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 16, 2011, which stipulates that men under the age of 26 in Washington may opt to get registered with the Selective Service System when they apply to obtain or renew a state driver’s license. It became effective January 1, 2012, which was also the start date when Selective Service began receiving electronic data transmissions.