Benefits & Penalties | Selective Service System (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I don't register for Selective Service? ›

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.

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.

You are exempt from Selective Service registration if you can prove you were continuously institutionalized or confined from 30 days before you turned 18 through age 25. If you were released for any period longer than 30 days during this window, you were required to register with the Selective Service System.

However, the Selective Service System now accepts early submission of registration information by 17 year old men. The Agency holds their registration information and automatically enters their data into the system when they turn 18.

Yes, you are still required to register with Selective Service. Virtually all men must register with Selective Service, even those who believe they'll be exempt from serving. In the event of a draft, men called for induction would be able to make a claim for deferments, postponements, or exemption from serving.

Selective Service mails you a registration card and acknowledgment letter to confirm that you registered. Call the Selective Service System at 1-847-688-6888 if you do not receive these documents within 90 days after registering.

USCIS will deny a naturalization application when the applicant refuses to register with Selective Service or has knowingly and willfully failed to register during the statutory period.

Selective Service regulations previously required each registrant to have his card in his possession at all times. This requirement was removed from the regulations in late 1974, shortly before registration was suspended, and it has not been re-instituted.

A status information letter from the Selective Service System states the facts: Whether or not a man is registered; whether or not the man should have registered; or if he is exempt from registering.

America's leaders agree that despite the success of the All-Volunteer Force, registration with Selective Service must continue as a key component of national security strategy. While there is no draft at present, your registration is essential to our Nation's security in the event that a national crisis ever occurred.

What states automatically register you for Selective Service? ›

In the U.S., it's not specific states that automatically register you for selective service. Rather, all males nationwide are required by federal law to register when they turn 18 years old. This system is maintained by the Selective Service Act and is for potential military conscription.

How do I request a Selective Service waiver? If you believe you should be exempt from registration, you'll need to prove that to the government by filling out a waiver. To do so, you'll need to request a Status Information Letter using the Status Information Letter form on this page of the Selective Service website.

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.

There are consequences if you fail to register with Selective Service. It is a federal felony, punishable by fines or a prison sentence. And you may not be eligible for federal jobs, citizenship, or state-funded student financial aid.

If you are 26 or older, it's too late to register.

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.

While there isn't currently a draft in place, Congress and the president can reinstate the draft and force male citizens to serve in the military in the event of a national emergency or war that all-volunteer military can't adequately support. Here's what you need to know about the military draft.

Unless a man provides proof that he is exempt from the registration requirement, his failure to register will result in referral to the Department of Justice for possible investigation and prosecution.

Technically, you are required to register within 30 days of your 18th birthday. However, if you did not register within that time frame late registrations are accepted until your 26th birthday, just follow the registration procedures stated above.

That said, men are required to register for the Selective Service after they turn 18, regardless of their college plans. But if you're worried about getting drafted, keep in mind that the last draft happened during the Vietnam War in 1973.

Are you automatically selected 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.

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.

Today, men are required to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday through our website or at U.S. post offices or diplomatic offices. The United States of America is protected by our all-volunteer military. There is no conscription at this time.

Legal Implications of Refusing the Draft

Under the Military Selective Service Act, those who fail to register or refuse induction may face up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Additionally, non-compliance may result in ineligibility for federal employment, student loans, and government benefits.

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.

Certain elected officials, exempt so long as they continue to hold office. Veterans, generally exempt from service in peacetime draft. Immigrants and dual nationals in some cases may be exempt from U.S. military service depending upon their place of residence and country of citizenship.

Anyone suffering from deprivation of the senses, such as hearing and vision problems, is forbidden to enlist. People with bone or joint problems are also exempt. This includes chronic knee injuries, people with a history of bone fractures, shoulder problems and hypermobility syndrome.