Did I fail to register for selective services or did I do the right thing?

[Faith_1 2]

Hi everyone, 

I would like your help. My spouse and I recently received our I-797 approval notices for both the I-130 and I-485. We're now waiting for the conditional green card to be produced. However, I have a concern about one question on the I-485 form, and I'm hoping to confirm that my response won't affect future naturalization.

 

On the I-485, there's a question asking:

“Have you ever: Applied for exemption or discharge from training or service in the U.S. armed forces or in the U.S. National Security Training Corps on the ground that you are a foreign national?”
“Have you ever been relieved or discharged from such training or service on the ground that you are a foreign national?”

I answered NO to both.

 

Here's the context: While on F-1 status in early 2024 ( I was 25), I received a letter sometime earlier this year saying I had been automatically enrolled in Selective Service. The letter instructed me to mail in my I-94, foreign passport, and F-1 visa copy if I was F1 status. I followed the instructions and sent those documents. I never heard anything back, so I assumed the matter was resolved.

 

When we submitted the I-485 later that same year (late 2024 - still 25 yod), I was still maintaining my F-1 status and did not re-register for Selective Service. I have now received my green card (may 2025 - 26 years old and few months).

 

I just want to confirm that:

• I answered that question correctly.

• This won’t affect my naturalization eligibility down the line.

• I haven’t unintentionally misrepresented anything.

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can clarify!

[Ontarkie 14,939]

~~Moved to US Citizenship General Discussion, from Military- Immigration Discussion. - As the Topic of SS and the N400 is better suited here.~~

[milimelo 4,727]

Ok, you did what was asked for you - go to SSS website and check your record. 

[Faith_1 2]

29 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Ok, you did what was asked for you - go to SSS website and check your record. 

Thank you for responding. So, the website services are down, customer service line is also down, it's been like this for weeks. I don't know of any alternatives that I could use to check my record.

[milimelo 4,727]

3 minutes ago, Faith_1 said:

Thank you for responding. So, the website services are down, customer service line is also down, it's been like this for weeks. I don't know of any alternatives that I could use to check my record.

Try your elected official - it's a federal service so a senator or your congressman. 

[Faith_1 2]

44 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Try your elected official - it's a federal service so a senator or your congressman. 

Good suggestion, I didn't even know they could help with this. I contacted them and will wait and see their response.

 

[Rekyrts 150]

Yep, the site is down; been chatter about it online.

[Faith_1 2]

On 7/9/2025 at 12:25 PM, milimelo said:

Ok, you did what was asked for you - go to SSS website and check your record. 

 

1 hour ago, Rekyrts said:

Yep, the site is down; been chatter about it online.

 

The verification service is at least back online, finally. I just checked, and I'm registered from way before I filed for i-485 and i-130, which is really weird it seems that they ignored my visa documents and registered me anyway. 

So now that I'm registered and have a selective service number and date of registration, that means am all safe for naturalization correct?

[OldUser 9,804]

12 minutes ago, Faith_1 said:

 

 

The verification service is at least back online, finally. I just checked, and I'm registered from way before I filed for i-485 and i-130, which is really weird it seems that they ignored my visa documents and registered me anyway. 

So now that I'm registered and have a selective service number and date of registration, that means am all safe for naturalization correct?

Unless you claimed to be a US citizen and that's why they registered you. Otherwise best of luck!

[Faith_1 2]

5 hours ago, OldUser said:

Unless you claimed to be a US citizen and that's why they registered you. Otherwise best of luck!

No, I remember sending them my I-20 copy, and F-1 visa page copy, along with the registration document in the mail. I did not provide or have any documents that "faked" my immigration status. The way they registered me was after i got my Driver's license, I got this mail saying I was enrolled in Selective Service, so they did it on my behalf, I only provided documents to prove I shouldn't be enrolled in the first place, but for some reason it was still kept.

 

You got me nervous. I will call tomorrow just to check on why I was registered even though I sent previously my non-immigration documents.

Edited 6 hours ago by Faith_1
extra info

[OldUser 9,804]

16 minutes ago, Faith_1 said:

No, I remember sending them my I-20 copy, and F-1 visa page copy, along with the registration document in the mail. I did not provide or have any documents that "faked" my immigration status. The way they registered me was after i got my Driver's license, I got this mail saying I was enrolled in Selective Service, so they did it on my behalf, I only provided documents to prove I shouldn't be enrolled in the first place, but for some reason it was still kept.

 

You got me nervous. I will call tomorrow just to check on why I was registered even though I sent previously my non-immigration documents.

I'm sorry, it wasn't my plan to scare you, but I'd definitely check records at DMV and Selective Service to ensure clerks didn't make a mistake somewhere. If it's all clear there, you're safe to file N-400. If however, somewhere they registered you as a citizen by mistake, you'd need to amend that and maybe consult with lawyer before filing for naturalization, as it may be a pain in the back!