All male U.S. citizens, and male aliens residing in the United States, who were born in 1960 or later are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthdays. A man is exempt from registering while he is on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Members of the National Guard and Reserve Forces not on full-time active duty must register. When a man has been released from active duty he must register at that time unless he has reached age 26 or is already registered. Male students over the age of 26 who have not registered must contact Selective Service at (800) 621-5388 for further instructions. Lawfully admitted nonimmigrant aliens (for example, those on student visas) are not required to register.

Registration for Selective Service occurs at any U.S. Post Office or online through the Selective Service System. Ohio law requires the Office of the Registrar to verify that eligible students have registered in order for those students to receive various state educational benefits. The law provides that those who have failed to certify their compliance with Selective Service registration requirements are ineligible for state financial aid programs and will be assessed a penalty equivalent to the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees.