Find your ancestors in United States, World War I draft registration cards

The sheer magnitude of World War One records, 25 million military records in this collection, offers a wealth of information about your ancestors' lives during the tumultuous start of the 20th century.

What can these records tell me?

Each result will provide you with a transcript and an image of the original draft registration card. The cards pertain to the period from 1917 to 1918.

Transcripts will provide the following details:

  • First name(s)
  • Last name
  • Sex
  • Birth year
  • Birth date
  • Place of birth as transcribed
  • Birth country
  • Registration year
  • Citizenship country
  • Residence
  • State

    The images provided with each result will often include additional details. These details could pertain to your ancestor’s home address, type of citizenship, occupation, employer and place of employment, prior military service, and race, as well as if your ancestor has a spouse or children. Each card was then signed by the individual, which provides you with a look at your ancestor’s own script and signature.

    • Discover more about these records

    In response to the United States’ entry into World War I, the Selective Service Act was authorized for the purpose of raising a national army. Starting in 1917, more than 24 million Americans (nearly 98 percent of the male population under the age of 46) registered for the draft. This nationwide collection represents 25 percent of the entire U.S. population and includes detailed personal information about each individual.