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All male US citizens are required to register with the US Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. This includes citizens living overseas, but there is no communication to inform them of this.

Failure to register before someone's 26th birthday can be grounds for denying financial aid, federal grants and loans, certain government benefits and federal employment. It is not possible to register after this time.

Americans living overseas can register online or by visiting a US Embassy or Consulate.

We believe that the simple, online process for Selective Service registration is a good example for other US government services to follow. However, we believe that more must be done to ensure that overseas Americans, some of whom may have never heard of Selective Service before, are informed of their obligations, or that a clear exemption for Americans living abroad between the ages of 18–26 be detailed.