You need to register for the SAT by mail (also known as paper registration) if you are:

Requesting testing closer to home.
Requesting Sunday testing for the first time.
Paying by check or money order (payable to “The College Board”).
Younger than 13 years old.
Unable to upload a digital photo as part of the online registration process.
Registering through an SAT international representative.

What You’ll Need

You might need to include other items along with your registration form, depending on your reason for mailing in your registration. Check the links above.

Student Registration Booklet

To register by mail, ask your counselor for the Student Registration Booklet for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. It comes with a registration form and return envelope.

Mail Registration Deadlines

Domestic Testing

If you’re registering by mail to test in the U.S.:

U.S. registration materials must be postmarked by the U.S. deadlines.
The deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, U.S.
The late registration deadline for U.S. testing is earlier if you register by mail.

Get U.S. dates and deadlines.

International Testing

If you’re registering by mail to test outside the U.S.:

Mailed registration forms must be received by the international deadlines.
Deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, U.S.
There is no late registration for international testing.

Get international dates and deadlines.

Tips

Download these PDFs for more help:

Codes

When you fill out the form, you’ll need a College Board code for your high school (or the home-school code, 970000) and your test center. You might also need codes for the colleges you want to send scores to, your intended college major, and your country.

You can also find codes for test centers, college majors, colleges and scholarships, and countries in these downloads:

Or ask your school counselor for the code list.

Photo Requirements

You must include a recent photo with your paper registration form. This photo will become part of your Admission Ticket, and test center staff will compare it to your photo ID to ensure security on test day.

Your printed photo must meet the following requirements:

It’s at least 2 x 2 inches and no more than 2.5 x 3 inches.
It’s not an ID card or other laminated photo.
Your name, date of birth, and high school code are written on the back.
The photo is taped over the barcode. Use clear tape around all four edges of your photo. Do not use paper clips, staples, or glue.
It is properly focused with a full-face view, clearly identifiable as you, and matches your appearance on test day. Learn more about choosing an acceptable photo.

Avoid Processing Delays

You must complete every field shaded in red and marked “Required” on the paper registration form. Incomplete forms and forms with errors will not be processed—and you might not be allowed to take the SAT on the date you chose.

If required information is missing, your form will be returned to you to complete and resubmit. Here are some common reasons this might happen:

You failed to provide information in the fields designated as “Required” on the form.
You didn’t include payment.
You submitted insufficient payment or a payment that could not be processed.
You requested Sunday testing or opening a test center closer to home without enclosing the required letter.

When and How to Register by Mail