Male children

Male children who are Turkish citizens are subject to military service obligations in Türkiye, even if they were born and raised in the United States. Men living in the United States must also register with the U.S. military registration system (Selective Service) after turning 18. On this page, you will find the rules of both countries, deferment, military service by payment in foreign currency, and registration steps. For adults' military service procedures, also see 11.5 Military Service.

• Every male Turkish citizen is required to perform military service. Being a citizen of another country does not eliminate this obligation.
• Military service age begins on January 1 of the year in which a person turns 20, according to the civil registry, and ends on January 1 of the year in which the person turns 41.
• Service period: 6 months for privates and noncommissioned officers, and 12 months for reserve officers and reserve noncommissioned officers.
• Failure to appear for registration: a person who does not complete their registration during the registration year.
• Absent from dispatch: a person who does not complete their dispatch or join their unit despite being subject to dispatch.
• There are two official options for dual citizens living abroad: deferment until the end of age 35 and military service by payment in foreign currency. Both are carried out through the consulate.

• For people residing in a foreign country and holding multiple citizenship, military service procedures may be deferred until the end of the year in which they turn 35 if they apply to the consulate.
• According to the Consulate General of Türkiye in New York, this deferment applies to:
  • People born and living in the United States
  • People who went to the United States before reaching adulthood and also acquired U.S. citizenship
• Deferment is granted in a single instance until the end of age 35. Example: A person born on 01/01/2006 must apply no later than 12/31/2041.
• Those who settled in the United States after turning 18 and acquired U.S. citizenship are not covered by this provision. Their military service is deferred under worker-employer or professional-member status.
• Application: in person and by appointment; applications by mail are not accepted.
• Required documents (New York, 2026):
  1. Application petition
  2. 2 photographs taken within the last 3 months
  3. Original and photocopy of the civil identification card
  4. If applicable, T.C. passport; photocopies of all pages containing photographs and entries
  5. U.S. passport; photocopies of all pages containing photographs and entries
  6. If born in the United States, the original and photocopy of the U.S. birth certificate or citizenship certificate. If born in Türkiye, a document showing the date of first entry into the United States.
  7. Document showing the address in the United States, such as a driver's license, lease, or electricity bill

• Military service by payment in foreign currency means that a person liable for military service who lives abroad is considered to have completed military service by paying foreign currency under certain conditions.
• Requirement for multiple citizens: actual presence in foreign countries for at least 3 years (1,095 days), excluding periods spent in Türkiye. In this case, an employment requirement does not apply.
  • The Consulate General of Türkiye in New York states that this period is calculated from the date on which foreign citizenship was acquired.
• Distance learning: Before applying, open an account with your T.C. identification number and complete the training on the Ministry of National Defense's military service by payment in foreign currency distance-learning portal. There is no time limit for completing the training.
• The age-38 limit has been abolished. If you meet the requirements, your consulate will evaluate your application.
• Amount payable: the euro equivalent of the Turkish-lira amount set for paid military service, calculated using the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye's foreign-exchange buying rate on the payment date.
  • Under Law No. 7577 (April 2, 2026), the reference figure used in the calculation was increased from 240,000 to 300,000.
  • For the period from July 1 to December 31, 2026, this Turkish-lira amount is 472,653.60 TRY (300,000 × 1.575512 civil-servant monthly coefficient).
  • Payment is made in full during the application. Installments are not available.
• Application steps:
  1. Complete the distance learning.
  2. Make an appointment through konsolosluk.gov.tr. The application is made in person; applications by mail are not accepted.
  3. Go to the consulate with the documents and make the payment.
• Required documents (New York, 2026): application petition, 2 photographs taken within the last 3 months, original and photocopy of the civil identification card, valid passport, and photocopies of the originals and pages containing entries in old and new T.C. and foreign passports. U.S. citizens must bring the original U.S. passport and citizenship certificate and two photocopies of each. Additional documents may be requested if necessary.
• After payment and the application are completed, a request to withdraw from the military service by payment in foreign currency program will not be accepted, and the payment will not be refunded.

• Nearly all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants living in the United States must register with Selective Service between the ages of 18 and 25.
• Male U.S. citizens with dual citizenship must also register. U.S. citizens living abroad are also subject to this obligation.
• Green card holders must register. People temporarily present with valid visas do not register. See 10.0 New arrivals: first 30 days.
• When: Register within 30 days after turning 18. Late registration is accepted until age 26; registration is not possible after turning 26.
• How: online through sss.gov. Name, address, date of birth, and SSN are required. If you have an SSN, providing it is mandatory.
  • People without an SSN should call Selective Service during business hours.
  • People abroad can register online or at a U.S. diplomatic mission.
• Registration does not mean joining the military. The list is used only if Congress and the President decide to do so.
• Consequences of failing to register:
  • Registration is required in many states for state-supported student aid and state jobs, most federal jobs, and WIOA job training.
  • Registration is required for immigrant men applying for U.S. citizenship. See 4.1 Requirements (N-400).
  • Failure to register is a crime: a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years.
• Since June 30, 2026, Selective Service has not issued registration status letters. You can check your registration status online.

• Turkish consulates — deferment and military service by payment in foreign currency
  • Appointments: konsolosluk.gov.tr
  • People under the jurisdiction of the Embassy in Washington should apply to the Consular Section for military service procedures.
  • For the addresses and telephone numbers of all missions, see 8.3.
  • Consular Call Center (24/7): +1 888 566 7656 (United States and Canada), +90 312 292 29 29
• Ministry of National Defense military service by payment in foreign currency portal — distance learning
  • Web: dovizle.msb.gov.tr · Questions are submitted through the portal's "Support" section.
• Selective Service System — U.S. registration
  • Telephone: +1 888 655 1825 (weekdays 09:00–17:00, U.S. Eastern Time)
  • Email: information@sss.gov

• Assuming that becoming a U.S. citizen eliminates the Turkish military service obligation.
• Going to Türkiye after turning 20 without obtaining a deferment.
• Spending more than half of a calendar year in Türkiye while a deferment is in effect.
• Calculating the three-year period for military service by payment in foreign currency without deducting days spent in Türkiye.
• Going to the consulate without completing the distance learning for military service by payment in foreign currency.
• Forgetting to register with Selective Service after turning 18 and passing age 26.
• Not knowing that a young U.S. citizen living in Türkiye has a registration obligation.

• My son was born in the United States. Does he have to perform military service in Türkiye? If he is a Turkish citizen, he is subject to the military service obligation. If he lives in the United States, he may request deferment until the end of age 35 or, if he meets the requirements, benefit from military service by payment in foreign currency.
• At what age should we apply for deferment? Military service age begins at the beginning of the year in which a person turns 20. Ask your consulate about application deadlines; deferment continues until the end of the year in which the person turns 35.
• Can my son, who has a deferment, attend university in Türkiye? If he spends more than half of a calendar year in Türkiye, the deferment is canceled. Consult the consulate before making a decision.
• Can I pay the military service fee in installments? No. Payment is made in full during the application.
• Does registering with Selective Service mean joining the military? No. Registration only means being added to a list maintained for possible mobilization.
• My son lives in Türkiye but is a U.S. citizen. Does he have to register? Yes. U.S. citizens living abroad must also register, either online or at a U.S. diplomatic mission.

• Deferment application and petition for multiple-citizenship status – New York (PDF, 2026)
• Military service by payment in foreign currency application and petition – New York (PDF, 2026)
• Military service information notes from the Consulate General of Türkiye in New York
• Military service by payment in foreign currency distance-learning portal (Ministry of National Defense)
• Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 (PDF)
• Selective Service registration
• Selective Service registration verification
• Selective Service: table of who must register (PDF)