FAQ

6.    Selective Service

The Selective Service System is an independent agency in the US government that keeps records for all people who may be required to join the military if the US has another draft in the future.

Most men living in the US are required to register for the Selective Service after they turn 18 but before they turn 26 years old. This includes US citizens, permanent residents, and those men who are undocumented. Men who are in the US for a temporary period, such as those on tourist, student, or employment visas, are not required to register.

Yes. All male immigrants, documented or undocumented, who reside in the United States between the ages of 18 and 26, are required to register for the Selective Service.

From the Selective Service System: “The Selective Service System has not now, or in the past, collected or shared any information which would indicate a man’s immigration status, either documented or undocumented. The Selective Service System has no authority to collect such information, has no use for it, and it is irrelevant to the registration requirement. Consequently, there is no immigration data to share with anyone.”

Yes. You can check your registration status on the Selective Service website by clicking here. You will be required to enter your last name, Social Security number, and date of birth. You may also call (847) 688-6888.
Please note that if you were born before January 1, 1960, your verification is not available online. If you were born before 1960, you must request to verify your registration by mail. You can learn more about how to make a request here.

Maybe. If you were living in the US between the ages of 18 and 26 but did not know that you were required to register, you may be able to show the USCIS that your failure to register was not on purpose. If you knew about the requirement and did not register, there may be a problem in your ability to show good moral character.

• If you did register, the only information you need to provide is your registration number.
• If you did not register, it depends on how old you are when you apply for naturalization.
• If you are currently over 18 but not yet 26, you are still eligible to register for the Selective Service. It would be best if you  did this as soon as possible by visiting the Selective Service website.
• If you are between the ages of 26 and 31, you will need to provide a Status Information Letter at your naturalization interview. You are also required to write an explanation of why you did not register and submit it with your naturalization application.
• If you are over 31, you are not required to request a Status Information Letter. We recommend explaining why you did not register with your application.

No. Once you turn 26, you are no longer eligible to register for the Selective Service. However, if you are not yet 31 years old, you will be required to obtain a Status Information Letter for your naturalization interview.

You may request a Status Information Letter by filling out this form and mailing it to the address below with any required documents. There is currently no way to request a Status Information Letter online. For more information, click here.
Selective Service System
ATTN: SIL
PO Box 94638Palatine, IL 60094-4638

Additional answers can be found in other sections of our FAQ listed below:

• Application Timeline
• English and Civics
• Gender Marker Change
• Travel
• Passport and Other Questions
• Selective Service

If you did not find the answer you were looking for, you can sign up for a free personal consultation with our immigration specialist accredited by the US Immigration and Citizenship Services.

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