The federal government will begin automatically registering eligible young men for the Selective Service System starting in December 2026, marking a significant change in how the United States maintains its draft registry.

Under current law, most male U.S. citizens and immigrant residents are required to register for the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. Failure to comply can result in penalties and the loss of eligibility for certain federal jobs, student aid, and other benefits. The new system removes the need for individuals to sign up by using federal data to identify and enroll men aged 18 to 25 who meet eligibility requirements.

The change was authorized under the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, passed by Congress in late 2025. Officials said the update is intended to improve compliance and ensure the database remains complete and accurate without relying on individual action.

The Selective Service System has already begun implementing the administrative framework needed to carry out the automatic registration process. While the system remains in place, the United States has not used a military draft in more than 50 years.

Federal officials emphasized that the shift to automatic enrollment is a procedural change and does not signal plans to reinstate conscription. The registry continues to exist as a contingency measure should Congress and the president ever authorize a draft in the future.