Apply in 4 Easy Steps
1- Determine Eligibility
To initiate the SAR membership process, you should begin by ensuring that you can satisfy the SAR membership requirements and that you are a direct descendent of a Revolutionary War Patriot. The SAR does not restrict membership on basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, nation of citizenship or residency.
To establish eligibility you must be able to confirm that you are a direct ancestral line descendant of a Patriot by providing appropriate SAR-acceptable documentation.
Please note that family tradition in regard to the services of an ancestor will not be considered proof. But having that family lore may be a good starting point for your investigation!
2- Find a Local Contact
If you meet eligibility requirements, the next step is to find a SAR sponsor in close proximity to you (for example the Registrar at the Freedom Chapter). They will help guide you through the SAR membership application process, and can help review information assembled to enter it into SAR membership application forms.
Contact the chapter Registrar early in the process, introduce yourself for instructions and questions, and let him assist you with your application process.
See our events calendar for our Open Meeting schedule. Come to our open meetings and meet the registrar and other compatriots.
3- Collect Your Data
Properly documenting a genealogical line to a patriot ancestor can often be accomplished with only modest effort, provided you know what to look for and where to find it. If you have an ancestor who lived in the United States prior to 1900, chances are you may be a descendent of a Revolutionary War patriot.
Many SAR and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) members have already undergone this application process. The lineage to their patriot ancestors has been recorded in the SAR Patriot Research System and the DAR Genealogical Research System. Many times, a prospective member can save time and effort by seeking out and using a compatriot’s Record Copy from SAR or DAR for lineage and proof of patriotic service. Otherwise, proof of your patriot’s service is required.
If you run into any difficulties or snags in gathering your supporting documentation, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Registrar that’s assisting you. They are experienced in genealogy and are willing to help you “connect the dots” to your patriot ancestor.
4- Start Your Application
Congratulations! You are ready to begin preparing your SAR membership application. If you followed all of the previous steps, this shouldn’t be very difficult. As an applicant, there are several membership options. While most who join the SAR will do so as a Regular member, we also have a Junior membership option for men under 18 years of age.
Your chapter contact will be able to discuss the membership options and related costs with you, and guide you along every step of the way.
You can set up an account on the National SAR website to gain access to either the online application process or the downloadable PDF application form to use as your worksheet while gathering your family lineage. To create an account, click here. You will be able to access the Online Application and the PDF Application.