n-400 SELECTIVE SERVICE QUESTION

[carl_s 0]

HIYA! I am about to file n-400 based on marriage to a USC, while browsing the application form i came accross this question about the selective service. I arrived in the UNITED STATES when i was 22 yrs old, but did not REGISTER to the Selective Service because i am on a tourist visa, but when i wife petitioned me, i got my GC when i was 26 yrs old. Am i still covered with this? HELP ME PLEASE, planning to file by myself without attorney. (cost a lot)

[YuAndDan 153]

If male you MUST file with SSS, it makes no difference what your immigrations status is.

If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. It’s the law. You can register at any U.S. Post Office and do not need a social security number. When you do obtain a social security number, let Selective Service know. Provide a copy of your new social security number card; being sure to include your complete name, date of birth, Selective Service registration number, and current mailing address; and mail to the Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636.

Be sure to register before your 26th birthday. After that, it’s too late!

Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service. Do it today.

http://www.sss.gov/

This may or may not affect your N-400 petition.

[manty 0]

I imagine you will be asked about it. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you have much in the way of excuses. You sound like you knew about selective service, but made a decision not to register. I'm not sure a misunderstanding of the law is a good reason to not register. Who knows.

Edited February 27, 2009 by manty

[lucyrich 20]

See here for some general info

http://www.shusterman.com/natz-ss99.html

While you were maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status, you didn't need to be registered. If you were out of status, you should have been registered. After you reach your 31st birthday, failure to register, by itself, won't be a bar to naturalization. Since you got the GC at age 26, and you're getting ready for naturalization, you must be close to age 31, though maybe it's a couple of years away still.

[carl_s 0]

But when i checked the copy of my application form I-485, i signed the thing about selective service. Do you think i will be able to recover my number?

[manty 0]

But when i checked the copy of my application form I-485, i signed the thing about selective service. Do you think i will be able to recover my number?

Easy way to check whether you registered or not: go to www.sss.gov. Click on "Check a registration", then enter your surname, SSN and date of birth. You will instantly be given your registration info (date and number). If nothing comes up, you didn't register. I hope you get good news!

[NickD 203]

"i was 22 yrs old, but did not REGISTER to the Selective Service because i am on a tourist visa, but when i wife petitioned me, i got my GC when i was 26 yrs old."

With your conditional green card, an advertisement type brochure should have been in the envelop with it, easy to toss away, but recall there was four things you have to do when you get your green card. One of them was if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you have to register with selective service. Looked at my wife, you are not only a female but a bit older. Looked at my step daughter, hmm, age is close, but you are not a male. Well gee, thanks a lot.

If you were 26 years of age when you first received your green card, you were already over the hill and did not have to register, I believe you stated that above. You do not have to register when here on a tourist visa, but one of the privileges of becoming a lawful permanent resident if you are a male and fall into that age group.

Believe the other requirements were to carry your green card with you at all time if over 18 years of age, keep the USCIS informed of you current address if you move within 10 days, and can't seem to remember the fourth, maybe it was registering with SS, but not sure on that. Still have that brochure here, someplace in that very fat USCIS file.

[haiti 0]

Do not panic yet.This is generally is not enough ground for rejection of your application though you might not be able to enjoy any federal posts. What you should do instead of going online call the Selective Service line and ask them if you are registerd. It looks to me that you might have but at the time did not have a social secutiry # which in this case will be impossible to check online.

I was in the same boat thinking for the longest I was not registerd and even try to register when last year (which would have been too late anyway). SO LEt Customer service know your last and first name and in the address you might used when you registered and you might be amzed what they can find. So, you will have to update your file and ask them to send you a proof.

Success and God bless!