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Men 26 and Older

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 26th birthday.

Failure to register is a felony and non-registrants may be denied the following benefits for life:

  • State-based student loans and grant programs in 31 states
  • Federal job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (formerly Workforce Investment Act)
  • Federal (and many state and local) jobs
  • A delay of U.S. citizenship proceedings for immigrants
A group of diverse men over the age of 26 standing together and smiling

What Does the Law Say?

Pursuant to federal law, a person required to register with Selective Service, but who failed to register, may not be denied any federal right or benefit if he can show by a preponderance of the evidence (e.g. more-likely-than-not) that his failure to register was not knowing and willful. See 50 U.S.C. 3811(g).

The final decision regarding a non-registrant’s eligibility for employment lies with the department or agency granting the right or benefit.