FAQs
If required to register with Selective Service, failure to register is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment. Also, a person who knowingly counsels, aids, or abets another to fail to comply with the registration requirement is subject to the same penalties.
Why did I get a Selective Service System letter? ›
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 within 90 days of registering. This is proof of your registration and can be used when applying for: state-based aid in 31 states. federal jobs.
Do you automatically get signed up for Selective Service? ›
States with automatic DLL process a man's application for a state learner's permit, driver's license or renewal, or I.D. card as consent to have his information automatically transferred to Selective Service for registration if he is between the ages of 18-25.
How do I know if my son registered for Selective Service? ›
Visit the Selective Service verify registration page to:
- Use the search tool to find your Selective Service number.
- Download an acknowledgment letter verifying your registration.
Has anyone been prosecuted for not registering for Selective Service? ›
Any violation of the law carries a potential penalty if one is convicted. As mentioned earlier, the government has prosecuted no one for violating Selective Service law since 1986, yet hundreds of thousands of US citizens have been penalized since that time.
Are you automatically registered for Selective Service when you turn 18? ›
Yes, between age 18 and 26, all males must register for Selective Service. If you fail to do so, you can be denied federal benefits such as student loans or federal jobs. One would think that that in this day and age, draft registration would be automatically accomplished by the Social Security Administration.
How long do I stay registered for Selective Service? ›
It's every man's duty under the Military Selective Service Act to register at age 18 and keep your registration up to date until you turn 26.
Which states automatically register you for Selective Service? ›
Summary of state laws that encourage or compel registration
Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Dakota. States that have not currently passed legislation linking benefits to registration: Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Can I say no to Selective Service? ›
Failure to register is a felony and non-registrants may be denied the following benefits for life: State-based student loans and grant programs in 31 states. Federal job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (formerly Workforce Investment Act) Federal (and many state and local) jobs.
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.
Can You Get Financial Aid Without Signing Up for Selective Service? You don't need to sign up for the Selective Service to receive financial aid, but registering for it is still required for men between the ages of 18 and 25.
Do all 18 year old boys have to register for Selective Service? ›
Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. It's important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military.
Does my autistic son have to register for Selective Service? ›
Is my son required to register for the draft at 18? While some of these men may have a disability that would disqualify them from military service, they still must register for the Selective Service (also known as the “military draft”) unless a man is confined to an institution or homebound.
Is Selective Service mandatory? ›
Federal Law requires nearly all male US citizens and male immigrants, 18 through 25, register with Selective Service.
Can I choose not to register for Selective Service? ›
Originally Answered: What happens if you don't do Selective Service? From the Selective Service website. “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.”
How long do you have to stay registered with Selective Service? ›
It's every man's duty under the Military Selective Service Act to register at age 18 and keep your registration up to date until you turn 26.
How can I avoid being drafted legally? ›
Claiming conscientious objector status on the basis of sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs. Claiming a student deferment, when one is in school primarily in order to study and learn. Claiming a medical or psychological problem, if the purported health issue is genuine and serious.