How to Join

You are eligible for membership in this Society if you are:

1. A citizen with a good reputation in the community.

2. Do not advocate the overthrow of the Government of the United States by use of force or violence.

3. The lineal descendant of an ancestor who was loyal to and rendered active service in the cause of American Independence, either as an officer, soldier, seaman, marine, militiaman, or Minuteman, who served in the armed forces of the Continental Congress or any of the several Colonies or States; or as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence; or as a member of a Committee of Safety or Correspondence; or as a member of any Continental, Provincial, or Colonial Congress or Legislature; or as a recognized Patriot who performed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain.

Don't give up the search even if you aren't sure whether any of your ancestors lived in the United States during the Revolution. Many people who never set foot in the United States supported the American colonists' struggle against British domination -- for example, the King of Spain. Many Patriots (or their descendants) moved to foreign lands and subsequent descendants returned to America unaware of their ancestors having lived here earlier.

Many French, German, and Spanish soldiers and sailors fought in support of American Independence and returned home without making their descendants aware of their participation in gaining American Independence. Remember to consider all possibilities. Your search is a fun way to learn more about your family tree.

1. Exhibit sincerity of intent in affiliating with Sons of Liberty Chapter, California Society, Sons of the American Revolution by mailing a $15.00 check (search fee & pre-paid Associate Membership Dues). Don't forget to include the name(s) of your Revolutionary War ancestor(s). Make check payable to Sons of Liberty Chapter, SAR. Mail to our Registrar: Berni K. Campbell, 31333 East Nine Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.

2. Upon receipt of the above check, we will conduct a search to determine your eligibility based upon the Revolutionary War antecedents you have named. Multiple searches may be conducted.

The SAR does not restrict membership based on race, color, religion, national origin, or nation of citizenship or residency. Marriage (and its documentation) for the several generations going back to the Patriot Ancestor may be required. Legitimacy in any generation is not a requirement. Descendants of plural marriages are not excluded from SAR membership. Bloodline descent -- legitimate or illegitimate -- from a Patriot Ancestor is what is required and must be documented. You must also have two members recommend you for membership.

3. Complete a Lineage Worksheet. Collect and organize the documentation tracing your lineage back to your Patriot ancestor and forward same to the Chapter.

4. Results of the search, along with a standard National SAR Application, will be returned to you. Complete the preliminary application and return it along with a copy of your birth certificate. Also forward copies of all primary and secondary source information supporting your lineage back to your Revolutionary War Patriot. Copies will not be returned, and all materials received become the property of Sons of Liberty Chapter, SAR. Sorry, but referenced materials obtained online are not currently accepted. When submitting copies of published historical text, please include a copy of the title page.

5. Acceptable secondary lineage documentation in lieu of the above expressed need for individual copies of primary and secondary supporting documentation: You may be able to save a great deal of effort if you can identify a parent or relative of an earlier member or members of the SAR, DAR, or CAR. "Record Copies" of original applications of relatives can be obtained from the National Offices of the above organizations. Same may be accepted for the purpose of establishing your own lineage (does not preclude the need for a copy of your own birth certificate). Please advise us of your need for Request Forms, as the above organizations will nor forward Record Copies unless the proper form & fees are received.

The fee for submission of application plus the first year dues for Chapter, State and National Societies is $150.00 Subsequent annual membership dues for National, State & Chapter are:

Lesser application dues and fees structures exist for Children of the American Revolution (CAR) members under 22 years of age, and also if they are a SAR or DAR relative under 25 years of age. Life memberships are also available for younger individuals affiliating. If you have questions, please contact our Registrar, Berni K. Campbell (go to contact page and select "Membership Questions" from the drop-down menu).

The approval process normally takes 8 to 10 weeks. You will be notified by your sponsoring Chapter if additional documentation is needed at either the State or national level.