Eligibility Requirements

Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age. She shall prove lineal blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage and death. This shall include the applicant's birth certificate naming her parents. This applies to "new ancestors" and to previously accepted lineages for which documentation was not required at the time of acceptance.

Admission to membership in the NSDAR is either by invitation through a Chapter in your State Organization (or Units Overseas). No Chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed.

Acceptable Service of Patriots

The National Society reserves the right to determine the acceptability of all service and proof thereof. The National Society accepts service, with some exceptions, for the period between 19 April 1775 (Battle of Lexington) and 26 November 1783 (withdrawal of British Troops from New York).

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Military Service, such as participation in:

Army and Navy of the Continental Establishment

State Navy

Coast Guard and Privateers

Military or Naval Service performed by French nationals in the American theater of war

Civil Service (holding office under authority of the Provisional or new State Governments) such as:

State Officials

County and Town Officials (Town Clerk, Selectman, Juror, Town Treasurer, Judge, Sheriff, Constable, Jailer, Surveyor of Highways, Justice of the Peace)

Patriotic Service, which includes:

Members of the Continental Congresses, State Conventions and Assemblies

Membership in committees made necessary by the War, including service on committees which furthered the cause of the Colonies from April 1774, such as Committees of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, committees to care for soldiers' families, etc.

Signer of Oath of Fidelity and Support, Oath of Allegiance

Members of the Boston Tea Party

Defenders of Forts and Frontiers, and Signers of petitions addressed to and recognizing the authoritiy of the Provisional and new State Governments

Doctors and nurses and others rendering aid to the wounded (other than their immediate families)

Ministers who gave patriotic sermons and encouraged patriotic activity

Furnishing a substitute for military service

Prisoners of war or refugees from occupying forces

Prisoners on the British ship Old Jersey or other prison ships

Service in the Spanish Troops under Galvez or the Lousiana Militia after 24 December 1776

Service performed by French nationals within the colonies or in Europe in support of the American cause

Those who rendered material aid, such as furnishing supplies with or without remuneration, lending money to the Colonies, munitions makers, gunsmiths, etc.

Those who rendered material aid, in Spanish America, by supplying cattle for Galvez's forces after 24 December 1776

Those who applied in Virginia for Certificates of Rights to land for settlement and those who were entitled to and were granted preemption rights

Those who took the Oath of Fidelity to the Commonwealth of Virginia from October 1779 to 26 November 1783