What is Selective Service registration?

Registration is a way our government keeps a list of names of men from which to draw in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of our Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the Selective Service ensures that a future draft will be fair and equitable.

Who must register with the Selective Service?
Almost all young men ages 18-26 are required by law to register with the Selective Service. Females are not required to register at this time.

Where can I get a Selective Service registration form?
Forms are available at any U.S. post office. You can now register on-line.

How can I register?
Men 18 through 25 years old can register by completing a form at the post office. Some high schools have a faculty or staff member who serves as a Selective Service Registrar. Most men turning 18 can also register by mail, if they receive a Selective Service form in the mail.
(See also How to Register.)

Why do we need Selective Service if there may never be a draft?
As President Clinton informed Congress in 1994, "Maintaining the Selective Service System and draft registration provides a hedge against unforeseen threats and a relatively low cost 'insurance policy' against our underestimating the maximum level of threat we expect our Armed Forces to face."
(See also What Does Selective Service Provide for America?)

What is the penalty for not registering?
If you do not register, you could be prosecuted and fined up to $250,000 and/or be put in jail for up to five years. Registration is also a requirement to qualify for Federal student aid, job training benefits, and most Federal employment.
(See also What Happens if I Don't Register?).

(Information excerpted from Selective Service website FAQ section at http://www.sss.gov/.)