Becoming A Member
The SAR does not restrict membership on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, nation of citizenship or residency. The SAR National Bylaws state: “Any male shall be eligible for membership in the SAR who is a citizen of good repute in the community; and a lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times unfailing in loyalty to and rendered acceptable service in the cause of American Independence” between 1775 and 1783. Membership in the SAR requires documented, acceptable evidence that your ancestor participated in one or more of the following types of service. This might include being a member of a militia, rendering services, serving on a jury, paying taxes toward the cause, or signing an "oath of Allegiance". Remember that Thomas Jefferson never took part in a battle, but you can become a member if you descend from him. To begin the membership process, you need a birth certificate that lists your parents. The current cost is $215 plus the cost of any documents that need to be purchased. This cost includes $75 for the first year's dues and $140 for non-refundable application fees. Once an application has been submitted it takes 3-5 months to get the review completed and the paperwork back to the chapter. The Registrar of the chapter can estimate the time for you. Timing depends on how many applications are being received and how many hours the staff of genealogists will work. Both can vary, depending on the time of the year and outside factors (think COVID). As our chapter registrar, I am here to assist you. Please send any questions to jmoore417@gmail.com, and title the subject line “SAR”. I will get back to you within 2 days. If I have not returned your message within 2 days, please send again. You may also contact our chapter’s President. My job #1 is to get you into the SAR, and #1A to not lose your application fee! Please do not purchase any documents except a copy of your birth certificate, since most of the time I can find something to document your lineage. John Moore, Registrar