selective service

[mshaban 2]

I'm 29 yrs and i'm about to apply for the citizenship , i entered the states at the age of 24 and i didn't know about the selective service and i have to register .

at the age of 27 i called the selective service and they sent me the status letter ,

my question here what do i do about the citizenship application should i choose that i didn't register and what's the good reasons why i haven't register ?

and is there's any other documents or paper required i should sent it to USCIS about that ? 

Edited November 25, 2018 by mshaban

[Hypnos 6,576]

What did the status information letter from Selective Service say? 

 

If you were required to register bit failed to do so--which is what it sounds like--then you could only apply at 29 years old if you were applying for naturalisation on the basis of being married to a US citizen for three years. 

 

If you were instead applying under the five year rule then you would need to wait until you turned 31.

[mshaban 2]

The letter said that i failed to register and i can show this letter when i'm applying for any benefits which is the citizenship is one of them i think .

Also i'm eligible to apply for citizenship since i've been here for 5 years as a permanent resident .

i looked it up online and some said that i have to show the USCIS this letter and sworn declaration form but i don't know where to get this form or what's in it !

[NikLR 13,220]

Youre no longer eligible because you didnt register.  Ignorance of the law doesn't absolve you.  Please reread @Hypnos post. 

[mshaban 2]

Actually I'm still eligible to apply !

I didn't register because i didn't know about that .

According to USCIS website and SSS website i can still apply only if i have the sworn declaration form support my explanation of what happened to result in my not knowing .

 

My question to people who has same experience as me .

Did they have this sworn declaration form or just applied with the sss letter ?

If anyone know where to get this form or what's in this form ?

 

Anyway thanks to @Hypnos and @NikLR for trying to help and i'm gonna wait for other people replies .

 

 

[kris&me 572]

you were given a welcome letter when u recd the visa

 

WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES

A guide for new immigrants

there were responsiblities and rights listed

 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf

 

page 14 tells u about registering for selective service

 

pretty hard to say u did not know about this

i am sure u are well acquainted with the rights section

[mshaban 2]

I didn't read it as many as a lot of people !

https://www.sss.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=0Ky-rgZai_Y%3d&portalid=0

Page 2 :

 

Quote

 

2. Failure to Register for Selective Service USCIS will deny a naturalization application when the applicant refuses to register with Selective Service or has knowingly and willfully failed to register during the statutory period. The officer may request for the applicant to submit a status information letter and registration acknowledgement card before concluding that he failed to register. The status information letter will indicate whether a requirement to register existed. The applicant must show by a preponderance of the evidence that his failure to register was not a knowing or willful act. Failure on the part of USCIS or SSS to complete the process on behalf of the applicant, however, will not constitute a willful failure to register on the part of the applicant. The denial notice in cases where willful failure to register is established may also show that in addition to failing to register, the applicant is not well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. This determination depends on the applicant’s age at the time of filing the application and up until the time of the oath:

 

 

I didn't refuse to register , i didn't even know about this selective service when i entered states .

Appreciate your answer to my post and hope for other replies from other people have same situation .

 

 

 

 

[NikLR 13,220]

It doesnt matter if you READ it or not.  That was your choice to not read it.  You were provided the information. 

 

Try and see if you don't want to believe the forum.  Again, your choice. Best of luck.

[Boiler 43,426]

You need 5 years GMC so that looks like it will be 32 before you can apply.

[Hypnos 6,576]

As stated by myself and others, if you apply before turning 31 then your N-400 will most likely be denied due to failing the 'good moral character' test by not registering for Selective Service when you were required to. 

 

I've only ever seen one person overcome this denial, and they had letters from their pastor, from charities they volunteered and worked for, and a few other things that was able to overcome the lack of Selective Service registration. 

Edited November 25, 2018 by Hypnos

[mshaban 2]

Appreciate all the answers here thanks to you all .

 

I checked the status letter i got from the selective service and it said :

 

it's to clarify that a non-registrant is not to be denied any federal benefit if he can demonstrate that his failure to register was not knowing or willful .

 

Any Advice how can i demonstrate this failure to register ?

[Dodgertown 27]

12 hours ago, mshaban said:

Any Advice how can i demonstrate this failure to register ?

Ignorantia juris non excusat is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because one was unaware of its content.

 

[Dodgertown 27]

13 hours ago, mshaban said:

Any Advice how can i demonstrate this failure to register ?

You need to demonstrate that your failure to register was not WILLFUL. How can it can be proved? I have no idea. I guess the only thing that you can present as a proof is your own statement under oath. 

 

INS memo on the Effect of Failure to Register for Selective Service on Naturalization Eligibility

June 18, 1999

 

Quote

Once it is established by a status information letter that a naturalization applicant failed to register when required, the INS officer must determine, based on other evidence, whether or not an applicant’s failure to register was knowing and willful. INS officers must consider all persuasive evidence presented by an applicant relating to his failure to register. At a minimum, the INS officers must take a statement under oath from an applicant in order to determine whether or not failure to register was knowing and willful.

 

[Dodgertown 27]

This is actually a very interesting subject. Sorry, this is my 3rd message in a row))))

I did some further "googling" and here is what I found. If you look at Form I-485 page 15 (Applicant's Declaration and Certification) it says:

Quote

I understand that if I am a male who is 18 to 26 years of age, submitting this application will automatically register me with the Selective Service System as required by the Military Selective Service Act.

 

You said you got your GC at the age of 24. So technically, you were supposed to be registered automatically.  

Edited November 26, 2018 by Dodgertown

[dadajhow 6]

Jezzz, There are some people here that mannnn , if you are not 100% sure or a lawyer , you should not be confirming anything.

 

"Youre no longer eligible because you didnt register.  Ignorance of the law doesn't absolve you..  "

WT$%$%$#$ ????? This guy is maddd coz you didnt register Lol

 

SO here is my statement , My roommate JUST WENT THROUGH THIS , he missed and did not register!! Well it took a little bit longer like about 3 months , but he is a citizen now !! He did last year , as some people here said , as long as you did not intent to deny you registration , you forgot or well life is not perfect... You need to contact them"Selective Service System"

 

But as @Dodgertown mentioned, mine did automatically , a lot of people it does automatically and people don't know. If I am not wrong you can check here https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Check-a-Registration/Verification-Form  ???? 

 

So I was freaking out too but find out it did automatically :) If yours is there they will mail you a Verification and a number :)

 

GOod luck , and one more time , I am not a lawyer !!! This is just some ideas to you. :)