As you may already be aware, membership in the Sons of the American Revolution requires descent from the paternal or maternal line of an ancestor who participated in the War for American Independence. Therefore, you’ll need to document and prove your direct descent. This proof can take many forms: a previously approved SAR or DAR membership application from a member of your family, birth and death certificates, published obituaries or other document sources.
The SAR does not restrict membership on basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, nation of citizenship or residency, or sexual orientation. 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. Legitimacy through marriage of an ancestor is not a factor as long as appropriate proof of descendancy is provided to confirm the applicant’s direct descent from their Revolutionary War Patriot. Plural marriage families are not excluded from SAR membership. Proving bloodline descent, whether legitimate or illegitimate, from a patriot ancestor to yourself is what is required for SAR membership and is what must be documented. Additionally, you must be sponsored by two current SAR members; your local SAR chapter can likely assist you in fulfilling this requirement.
The links below will direct you to information regarding the membership requirements in detail and provides guidelines for completing the application papers. You should also find on this site a computerized application and instructions for its completion. These instructions should be self explanatory, but please feel free to contact our Genealogist (information below) at any time if you have any questions or need any points clarified.
- SAR Application [This PDF file is a form that you can fill in and save on your computer. When completed you should send it as an email attachment to the State Genealogist. Contact our Utah SAR Genealogist for assistance in completing the application and the documentation you’ll need to submit with it when you have your application completed. See SAR Application Fees and Annual Dues page for application fee.]
- Guide to Completing SAR Membership Application
Resources to Check
- Membership Information and Application Forms for Sons of the American Revolution, 1776-1996 (Microfilm of original records at the SAR in Washington, D.C.)
- United States Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications, 1800-1900 (Images of revolutionary war pensions)
Once the State Genealogist has your application and supporting documentation he will review it and prepare a printed copy for your signature. Your packet will then be forwarded to our National Headquarters for approval.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION
Each application for membership needs the following combination of supporting documents.
| Birth | |
| Complete Birth Certificate | Birth Record |
| Delayed Birth Certificate | Newspaper Announcement |
| Doctor/Midwife Record | School Record |
| Church Record | Baptism Certificate |
| HMO Record | Job Application (Federal/Local |
| Social Security Application | |
| Marriage | |
| Complete Marriage Certificate | Church Marriage Certificate |
| Marriage Bond/BANNS | Newspaper Announcement |
| Death | |
| Complete Death Certificate | Church Record/Notice |
| Cemetery/Tombstone Record | Obituary |
| Sexton’s Cemetery Record | Mourning/Funeral Notice |
| Funeral Home Record | Social Security Death Record |
| Probate Record | Insurance Policy |
| Fraternal Organization Records | Professional Organizations Records |
| Classic Contemporary Sources | |
| Census – State or Federal | Family Histories |
| County or State Histories | Land Records |
| Military and Pension Records | Church Registers and Records |
| Bible and Family Records | Tax Records |
| Employment Records | Institutional – Military Homes |
| Institutional – Jails/Prisons | Passports and Visa Applications |
| Court – Legal Documents | Letters from Town Clerks/Histories |
| Mortgage or Loan Applications | Telegrams |
CONTACT INFORMATION
Thank you for your consideration of our invitation. If we can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact :
Paul Nichols – E-Mail: Email to Paul Nichols
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Cordially Yours,
The Utah SAR Board of Managers