U.S. immigrants are required by law to register with the Selective Service System.

NOTE: Registering with Selective Service is not signing up for the Armed Services. The Selective Service System is not part of the Department of Defense.

Immigrant Men Are Required to Register

With very few exceptions, all immigrant males between ages 18 and 25 are required by law to register with the Selective Service System (SSS) within 30 days of arriving in the United States. This includes naturalized citizens, parolees, undocumented immigrants, legal permanent residents, asylum seekers, refugees, and all males with visas more than 30 days expired.

Non-Immigrant Foreigners

Non-immigrant men living in the United States on a valid visa are not required to register for as long as they remain on a valid visa up until they turn 26. If you have received a letter from us requesting that you register, please send us copies of supporting documentation to show you are exempt.

Men 26+

Once a man turns 26, he is no longer able to register with the Selective Service System. If you entered the U.S. prior to turning 26, but are now 26 or older, and have not registered, learn more here.

Men 31+

Immigrant men who are 31 or older who are seeking naturalization and who did not register are no longer required to provide a “status information letter” or documentation of their status from Selective Service. If asked for a status information letter, you may print a form letter concerning their request for a letter for use with USCIS.

USCIS Letter