# Do Americans living outside of the US have to sign up for selective service? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 18, 2009, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387 "2009-02-18T11:38:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/1 "2009-02-18T11:38:54Z")
Just curious how the selective service thing works if an 18 year old male American isn’t living in the US? does he still have to sign up? generally, what are the consequences for not signing up? is it a federal offence? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/2 "2009-02-18T11:55:54Z")
I have no idea, and now I’m worried. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/3 "2009-02-18T12:00:35Z")
Just part of the Piper service! are there any other areas where you’re at peace of mind that I can disrupt? just say the word… ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/4 "2009-02-18T13:15:04Z")
Why wouldn’t they? So what happens if someone signs up and is then drafted to fight a war against the country they are living in? Can one register at the US Embassy? What if there is no US Embassy? (Maldives, Iran, etc) ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/5 "2009-02-18T13:36:13Z")
Section 453.a of the [Military Selective Service Act](http://www.sss.gov/PDFs/MSSA-2003.pdf): > [@](#): > > Except as otherwise provided in this title (sections 451 to 471a of this Appendix) it shall be the duty of **every male citizen of the United States, and every other male person residing in the United States,** who, on the day or days fixed for the first or any subsequent registration, is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, to present himself for and submit to registration at such time or times and place or places, and in such manner, as shall be determined by proclamation of the President and by rules and regulations prescribed hereunder. I registered when I turned 18, although I had been born in Canada and was still living there at the time. Granted, by that time I had already been accepted to college in the U.S.; I’m not sure what my peacenik parents and I would have done if I’d decided to stay in Canada for my degree, as it would have been easier to stay under the radar in this case. (Does the IRS talk to the SSS?) > [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > Can one register at the US Embassy? What if there is no US Embassy? (Maldives, Iran, etc) Yes, you can register at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If there’s no easily accessible Embassy or Consulate, your best bet is probably to register over the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/6 "2009-02-18T14:30:13Z")
> **[Selective Service System - It’s Your Country. Protect it.](https://www.sss.gov/)** > > When you register with the selective service, you’re helping ensure a secure future for your community and the United States of America. \*What if I’m a U.S. citizen living or visiting out of the U.S. when it’s time to register?\*Visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. They will help you register. \*Virtually all men must register with Selective Service. \*The exceptions to this rule are very few and include: nonimmigrant aliens on student, visitor, tourist, or diplomatic visas; men on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces; and cadets and midshipmen in the Service Academies and certain other U.S. military colleges. All other men must register upon reaching age 18 (or before age 26, if entering and taking up residence in the U.S. when already older than 18). Disabled men, clergymen, and men who believe themselves to be conscientiously opposed to war must register because there is no draft in effect, nor is there a program to classify men at this time. Should the Congress and the President reinstate a draft, a classification program would begin. Registrants would be examined to determine suitability for military service, and they would also have ample time to claim exemptions, deferments, or postponements. To be inducted, men would have to meet the physical, mental, and administrative standards established by the military services. Local Boards would meet in every American community to determine exemptions and deferments for clergymen, ministerial students, and men who file claims for reclassification as conscientious objectors. _Failure to register:_ Registration is the law. A man who fails to register may, if prosecuted and convicted, face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or a prison term of up to five years. Even if not tried, a man who fails to register with Selective Service before turning age 26 may find that some doors are permanently closed. See also Men over the age of eligibility to register. See also What Does Selective Service Provide for America. Register Now! - Register on-line. STUDENT FINANCIAL AID Men, born after December 31, 1959, who aren’t registered with Selective Service won’t qualify for Federal student loans or grant programs. This includes Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student/Plus Loans, and National Direct Student Loans. CITIZENSHIP The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) makes registration with Selective Service a condition for U.S. citizenship if the man first arrived in the U.S. before his 26th birthday. FEDERAL JOB TRAINING The Workforce Investment Act (formerly called the Job Training Partnership Act - JTPA) offers programs that can train young men for jobs in auto mechanics and other skills. This program is only open to those men who register with Selective Service. Only men born after December 31, 1959, are required to show proof of registration. FEDERAL JOBS A man must be registered to be eligible for jobs in the Executive Branch of the Federal government and the U.S. Postal Service. Proof of registration is required only for men born after December 31, 1959. ETA: I don’t remember hearing about any prosecutions, I do know that the other stuff mentioned above happens regularly. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/7 "2009-02-18T14:37:23Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > Why wouldn’t they? So what happens if someone signs up and is then drafted to fight a war against the country they are living in? You think this hasn’t happened before to a certain extent? When we invaded Italy we didn’t lack for translators in our Army. Our last campaign against Germany was led by a man of German extraction. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/8 "2009-02-18T17:09:17Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > Why wouldn’t they? Well, **MikeS** ’s situation comes to mind - if a person is a dual citizen, living in a country other than the US, that person may not wish to register for potential conscription into the US armed forces. **Loach** , thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/9 "2009-02-18T17:14:56Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > You think this hasn’t happened before to a certain extent? When we invaded Italy we didn’t lack for translators in our Army. Our last campaign against Germany was led by a man of German extraction. That didn’t answer his question. Obviously many Americans have fought a war against a country where they or at least one of their ancestors came from. He asked about Americans actually living in the country at a time when war is declared. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/10 "2009-02-18T17:19:04Z")
wouldn’t they be interned as enemy aliens by the other country? ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/11 "2009-02-18T17:49:02Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > That didn’t answer his question. Obviously many Americans have fought a war against a country where they or at least one of their ancestors came from. He asked about Americans actually living in the country at a time when war is declared. Exactly. I know of a guy who is between 18 and 26, lives in the Gulf, is American, but has never been to the USA (at least the last I heard… it’s been a couple years tho). I have no idea if he has registered, but it is an interesting situation. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-living-outside-of-the-us-have-to-sign-up-for-selective-service/486387/12 "2009-02-18T18:58:00Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Well, **MikeS** ’s situation comes to mind - if a person is a dual citizen, living in a country other than the US, that person may not wish to register for potential conscription into the US armed forces. Nobody wants to register for possible conscription. Like taxes, though, it’s a cost few of us can duck.