Selective Service Registration & Green Card Holders
Green card holders — especially U.S. permanent residents who are male and between certain ages — may have a legal duty to register for the Selective Service. Failing to do so can affect your path to U.S. citizenship and raise eligibility issues.
At My USA Immigration, led by Attorney Oksana Sakhniuk, we guide you to understand if you must register, how to remedy missed registration, and how to protect your naturalization eligibility.
Who Must Register — and When
- Males who receive a green card and are ages 18 to 26 generally must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday (or within 30 days of obtaining residency, if older than 18 but under 26).
- Register at local post offices, online via SSS.gov, or via mail-in forms.
- USCIS often helps transmit registration data for adjustment of status applicants aged 18–26.
- Proof of registration acceptance is critical — keep your confirmation or status letter.
Males Not Required to Register
The following classes of males are not required to register for Selective Service:
- Males over the age of 26;
- Males who did not live in the United States between the ages of 18 and 26 years;
- Males who lived in the United States between the ages of 18 and 26 years but who maintained lawful nonimmigrant status for the entire period; and
- Males born after March 29, 1957 and before December 31, 1959.
Why Work With Us on Selective Service & Citizenship Compliance?
- ✅ Deep knowledge of Selective Service laws and their impact on naturalization
- ✅ Personalized assessment — who must register, who is exempt, and what to do if you failed
- ✅ Document preparation and support for status information letters and evidence of non‑willful failure
- ✅ Legal strategy to overcome denials or challenges in naturalization due to Selective Service issues
- ✅ Multilingual support (English, Russian, Ukrainian) — no confusion about requirements
- ✅ Experience working with USCIS and Selective Service System processes
- ✅ Clear guidance on your rights, obligations, and remedies
- ✅ Trusted by immigrant families from U.S., Russia, Ukraine — known for integrity and results
Frequently Asked Questions About Selective Service & Green Card Holders
Do green card holders have to register for Selective Service?
Yes, if male and within ages 18 to 26, you generally must register within 30 days of turning 18 — or within 30 days of becoming a permanent resident if that occurs later.
What if I missed registering while I was between ages 18–26?
You may need to file a status information letter, provide evidence you did not knowingly or willfully refuse, or show you were not required at the time.
Does failing to register prevent me from becoming a U.S. citizen?
It can be a barrier. USCIS may deny naturalization applications if registration was required and not completed without justifiable explanation.
Are there exceptions to registering?
Yes. Some exemptions include being over age 26 when you became a permanent resident, not residing in the U.S. during eligible ages, or having certain nonimmigrant status throughout those years.
How do I prove I registered?
You can get confirmation from the Selective Service System via mail, online look-up, or official acknowledgment letters to submit to USCIS.
Do you assist clients from Russian or Ukrainian communities?
Yes — we offer bilingual legal support in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, particularly for immigrant families where language nuance matters.
Ensure Your Citizenship Path Remains Clear
If you’re a green card holder who may need to register for Selective Service, don’t wait until your naturalization is in jeopardy. Let us help you remedy or comply confidently.
Schedule a consultation or contact us now to assess your registration status and protect your path to citizenship.