District of Columbia

Regulations on Draft Registration

Driver’s License Linked to Registration? Yes, MAY register when applying for a license, permit, or identification card

Registration Linked to Access to Higher Education? No.

Registration Required for State Employment? No.

Legislation in 1998 established that any male between the ages of 18 and 26 may choose to register with the Selective Service when applying for a license.  However, B19-0330, which was introduced in 2011 and passed the following year, struck the phrasing “may register” and replaced it with “shall be registered.”  However, the law also says, “Applicants shall be informed that [a] waiver form is available upon request. . .Failure to submit the waiver form shall be deemed affirmative proof that the applicant authorizes the Director of the Department to forward to the Selective Service System the information necessary to complete registration on behalf of the applicant.”  The law also states that submitting the waiver shall not be treated as grounds for denial of a license or ID card.  (District of Columbia Official Code 50-1401.01(5A)).