Selective Service System question

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi everyone,

So, I was reading over the DS-230 form filed out for my husband's application and I have a question.

It says that you are required by law to register with the Selective Service System (males 18 to 25 years of age).

My question is: my husband is currently 25 years old and will turn 26 years old this November.

Do you register at the time of the interview or at POE?

We plan to be leaving mid-November (right after his 26th birthday) in time for Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the advice,

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi again,

I was reading more about it and I saw this "If a young man turns 21 in the year of the draft, he would be in the second priority, in turning 22 he would be in the third priority, and so forth until the year in which he turns 26 at which time he is over the age of liability. Younger men would not be called in that year until men in the 20-25 age group are called."

So basically, as soon as my husband turns 26 years old, he can no longer be called in by the draft, right?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

They haven't had a draft since the early 1970's

[Dbkrantz 16]

I saw that too.

Well, no big deal then ! Plus he'll be 26 in a couple weeks

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The significance of that registration for immigrants is if he naturalizes to US citizenship, that is a question/requirement on the application. With him being so close, he should either register and save the reply of "you are too old" as evidence or be able to document his age at POE. I haven't paid a lot of attention to that because my husband was well beyond that age, but it seems as though some have posted they were automatically registered on entry with a spouse visa. There was a way to look up their registration online. ??? Maybe check out the naturalization forum to get the story on that. Or do an advanced search of 'selective service' choosing the citizenship forum for the search area. Show results as 'posts'.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's at the time of POE so if he comes before he has aged out he needs to register. We haven't had a draft since the 70s, as stated, but they keep a list of "eligible males" in case anyway.

The website is sss.gov to register.

[Darnell 8,479]

the clock starts after POE.

Suggest check the calendar again 1 week after POE date.

If he's within the range, then, register online.

[Dbkrantz 16]

At POE he will be 26 years old as we are planning to fly out around the 18th or 20th of November and his birthday is on the 10th

[LauraDP 10]

As the non-USC, Selective Service would only be relevant to him if he was within the age band at the point that he was resident in the US. It sounds as if he will go through the POE once he is 26 so it is not relevant.

We had A LOT of hassle over Selective Service as initially my husband was seeking a Federal Government job and they require that you were registered for SS or else eligible for a waiver but you can only apply for the waiver once you have been given a job and even not being able to tick that he had ever been registered for SS was preventing my husband for applying for some jobs. As the USC, he had to prove that his failure to register had been neither knowing or wilful. He was able to prove that he was resident in the UK between the age of 18 and 25 but in the end he did not have to pursue it because he got a job with a private company instead. Anyway, I record this here not just for future reference for anyone on the site who searches for "selective service" but also to underline why it is probably favourable in your case that your husband will be outwith the age band at POE and not be tempted to travel earlier because the whole SS thing seems to be a bureaucratic nightmare.

Best wishes

Laura

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi Laura,

That's actually very helpful. We thought it might be a good idea for him to travel once he turns 26 years old to just avoid it completely.

Thanks for confirming this to us.

Sorry about the hassle for your husband's job. That must have been a nightmare!

Best wishes to you too,

Deborah

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Hmmmmm....I haven't thought about this.

This is only for males right? I hope.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Yes only for males and really a non issue as it that been 4 decades since the last draft

[Gosia & Tito 199]

They haven't had a draft since the early 1970's

True, but it is still a requisite for naturalization. Either that you are register or that you were not required (because at the time you would (25), you were not a legal resident. If you are 25, then you should register. Very simple procedure and very important for later at naturalization time.

[Hypnos 6,578]

It should be noted that if you were required to register for Selective Service but didn't (and your lack of registration wasn't "willful") then you can still naturalise, but must wait until you are 31 to do so.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I looked this up for someone a few months ago. The documentation that gets submitted for the visa application automatically enrols anyone eligible. Of course, I don't know how well that ever is logged in the system (much like ticking the "yes please I'd like an SSN" box is a bit hit and miss).

Check the small print on the DS-230 Part II - The second to last line refers to selective service and that signing the form will cause enrolment ("I understand that completion of this form by persons required [...blahblahblah...] constitutes such registration in accordance with the Military Selective Service Act.).

Edited September 3, 2013 by lost_at_sea