Selective Services FAQ (2024)

FAQs

What disqualifies you from Selective Service? ›

The criteria for exemption from registration are: A man is placed in a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or mental institution on or before his 18th birthday, had no breaks of institutionalization of 30 days or longer, and remained institutionalized until his 26th birthday.

Failure to register with Selective Service is a violation of the Military Selective Service Act. Conviction for such a violation may result in imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of not more than $250,000.

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 26^th birthday.

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.

An applicant who refused to or knowingly and willfully failed to register for Selective Service negates his disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States, attachment to the principles of the Constitution, good moral character, and willingness to bear arms on behalf of the United States.

There were at least 20 indictments in Federal court for violating the draft registration laws. The last one was in 1986. The stiffest sentence was for 2.5 years imprisonment; nobody served more than 6 months in jail, total, counting pre-trial jail time.

Significant physical disabilities, such as loss of limbs, paralysis, or severe deformities, can disqualify you. Conditions like scoliosis, if severe, also affect eligibility. For example, individuals with amputated limbs or severe spinal curvatures often don't meet the physical demands of military service.

If you are a military veteran or a military reservist, you are still required to register with Selective Service. However, if you served in the Armed Forces and are 26 or older, but failed to register, your DD Form 214 is evidence that your failure to register was not knowing and willful.

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.

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.

How do you prove you didn t know about Selective Service? ›

Request a Status Information Letter: If you confirm that you were not registered, you can request a Status Information Letter from the Selective Service System. This letter will explain your registration status and provide details on whether you were required to register.

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.

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.