New York, New York City, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947

What is in This Collection?

The collection consists of a name index & images of draft registration cards of men who registered during World War II with the exception of the Fourth Registration (see General Information below). It covers the years 1940 to 1947 and includes information of young men aged 18-44. The event place is the home of the registrant. This collection is part of the National Archives Records Administration’s (NARA) Records of the Selective Service System. 1940– Record Group 147: Records of the Selective Service. Images are courtesy of Ancestry.com($).

The Selective Service Act of 1940 required that men between the ages of 21–36 register for the draft. This was the United States' first peacetime draft. The draft was run like a lottery with those chosen required to serve for 12 months. During the summer of 1941, the draft was extended for all men who had reached their 18th birthday up to those who had not yet reached the 45th birthday—up until the day before their 45th birthday. The length of service was also extended to 18 months, but could be extended further if national security required.

In December of 1941, after the United States had entered World War II, the draft was again extended. All men ages 22–44 became responsible for service in the military and all men ages 18–64 were required to register for the draft. Time of service was extended to six months after the war ended. This draft registration, called the Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II. Draft registration cards were filled out at the registrant’s home and then mailed to the Selective Service Board. Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

• See alsoUnited States World War II Draft Registration Records - Coverage Table

World War II Registration Dates

• First Registration October 16, 1940: males ages 21 to 35 "within the continental United States"
• Second Registration July 1, 1941: males "who had reached 21 sine the first registration"
• Third Registration February 16, 1942: between the ages of 20 and 45 "who had not previously registered"
• Fourth Registration April 27, 1942: between the ages of 45 and 65 "not eligible for military service" This registration is not included in this collection.
• Fifth Registration June 30, 1942: between the ages of 18 and 20
• Sixth Registration December 10-31, 1942: "those who reached the age of 18 after November 12, 1942"

Related National Archives Collections

New York State

• Draft Registration Cards for New York State, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947
• Classification Records for New York State, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947
• Applications by Aliens Residing in New York State for Relief from Military Service and Aliens Personal Histories and Statements, 1942–1946

New York City

• Classification Records for New York City, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947
• Index to Local Boards of New York City, 1940–1940 NAID 6036968
• Fourth Registration Draft Cards for New York City, April 27, 1942–April 27, 1942
• Applications by Aliens Residing in New York City for Relief from Military Service and Aliens Personal Histories and Statements, 1942–1946
• City of New York Local Boards Registration Records Involving Failure to Appear for Possible Induction, 1940–1945

What Can These Records Tell Me?

These records may contain the following information:

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  1940 Draft card

Inventory

For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see New York, New York City, World War II Draft Registration Cards - Inventory