Membership Eligibility Questions

Are you eligible for membership in The American Legion? Below are frequently asked questions regarding American Legion eligibility. For any other eligibility questions, feel free to contact us by email at membership@legion.org or call 317-630-1321.

Q: What are the eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion?

A: Thanks to the LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act) signed into law on July 30, 2019, the current eligibility period is Dec. 7, 1941, to the present, and includes the current war campaigns. Previously, there were seven declared war periods. Now there are two: the current war period dating back to World War II and another covering World War I. No other restrictions to American Legion membership have changed.

Q: I'm currently on active duty. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. All current active duty military are eligible for membership.

Q: I didn't retire from the military but was on active duty during one of the qualifying time periods. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. As long as you have served at least one day of federal active duty during any qualifying period, you are eligible for membership.

Q: I served during one of the qualifying periods but was never in a combat zone. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. Location of active duty service is not a consideration for membership.

Q: I'm currently in the National Guard/Reserve. My unit was activated under Title 10 orders during a qualifying time period. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. Title 10 orders are issued by the Secretary of Defense and therefore are federal orders.

Q: My National Guard unit was activated for crowd control under Title 32 orders during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

A: No, you are not eligible for membership. Title 32 orders are issued under a governor's authority, whereas Title 10 orders are issued by the Secretary of Defense.

Q: I'm currently a cadet at one of the U.S. Military Academies. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. The American Legion has considered service in the military academies as eligible for membership since World War II.

Q: Can I be an honorary or social member of The American Legion?

A: No, you cannot. Per The American Legion National Constitution and By-laws, no form or class of membership is authorized except regular active or paid up for life.

Q: I served my entire military career in the National Guard/Reserves and only have a DD214 from my Active Duty for Training during one of the qualifying dates. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. Since the mid-60s, all basic training and occupational training schools were considered federal active duty service.

Q: I served with allied military forces during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran, only if you were a U.S. citizen at the time of entry.

Q: I served with the Civil Air Patrol/Civilian Technical Corps/USPHS as a civilian during two qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

A: No, you are not eligible for membership. Eligible members must have federal military service during a qualifying period and received an honorable discharge or discharge under honorable conditions.

Q: I enlisted and went to basic training but received an uncharacterized discharge due to a medical condition. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, you are a veteran. Uncharacterized discharges for medical reasons are assumed to be under honorable conditions unless specifically stated otherwise. There are other categories of uncharacterized discharges, and before they are determined eligible for membership, the discharge should be sent to American Legion National Headquarters for determination. A record will be maintained at National on final determination.

Q: I'm eligible for American Legion membership, but I do not have a copy of my DD214 to show as proof of eligibility. How can I get one?

A: You can go to archives.gov/veterans to request another copy of your discharge papers. A copy of orders putting you on federal active duty can also be used as proof of eligibility.

General Membership Questions

Q: How much are American Legion annual membership dues?

A: Every American Legion post determines its own dues rate. However, new members who join through National Headquarters are offered a special introductory dues rate and are automatically placed in the Department (State) Headquarters Post in their state of residence. This is considered a "holding" post with no meetings or activities. The amount a member pays to renew membership each year depends on the Legion post where their membership is held. Each post determines its Legion programs, social functions, and annual dues, so it varies; however,Post 82's Dues are $55 annually.

Q: Where can I find my member ID number?

A: Once you join The American Legion, you're assigned a permanent 9-digit Member ID number that remains yours as long as you're a member. If you transfer to another post, always provide your original Member ID number. You can find the ID number on your membership card, and it's the first 9 digits above your name on American Legion Magazine labels (it always starts with a 1, 2, or 3). If you can't locate your membership card, please call Customer Service at (800) 433-3318 to obtain your member ID and a replacement card.

Q: Can I submit an address change online?

A: Yes, you can change most of your record information, including your address, at MyLegion.org. National can also take your address change over the phone at (800) 433-3318 during business hours, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time). Members moving to a foreign address should submit address changes via email to cs@legion.org and include their name, Member ID number, current address, and new address. You can also set up a MyLegion.org account to manage your membership information, update your address, print a membership card, access member-only discounts, renew your membership, manage subscriptions to The American Legion Magazine, Dispatch, and American Legion e-newsletters, and much more. MyLegion.org is a free and secure website for American Legion and Sons of The American Legion members. Join at MyLegion.org.

Q: I submitted an address change a month ago but my latest issue of the magazine went to the old address. What happened?

A: Although address changes are immediate when your record is updated, preparation for mailing each issue of the magazine begins about 6 weeks in advance of the mailing. This is due to the time it takes to prepare a large mailing. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will forward your magazines until the address change catches up with the magazine production if you notified them of your move.

Q: I belong to a local post and renewed my membership online. When will I get my membership card?

A: National Headquarters usually updates records within 24 to 48 hours to reflect the dues payment. Your department headquarters is also notified, and your post adjutant receives notification through the post officer's version of the MyLegion.org website. Your pre-printed annual membership card is at your post and should be forwarded to you after they review the notification of your renewal. If you don't receive it in a timely manner, contact your post adjutant for assistance. You can also print a membership card through your MyLegion.org account.

Q: I received a membership invitation in the mail and it says I can also join online at a special website shown on the application. If I join online, will I still get my membership card and the free gift mentioned in the letter?

A: Yes, you'll get your membership card and any free gifts mentioned in the letter, as long as you apply from that special website. You should receive your new member packet, including your membership card and free gift, approximately 4-6 weeks after you submit your application online. If you mail your application, it would take about 4-6 weeks after we receive it at National Headquarters. (Applies only to new members who join through National.)

Q: Why not include Direct Mailing Solicitation (DMS) in membership and all award calculations?

A: The emphasis on our award system is to reward volunteers who do the work. Direct Mailing Solicitation (DMS) is a tool to increase membership or replace attrition. DMS members are procured by national and then offered to departments immediately via MyLegion.org to be placed in traditional posts. However, these members do count towards the department's delegate strength for the National Convention and the department's membership goal.

Q: If I join online or submit a membership application to National Headquarters, will I belong to a local post?

A: When you first join The American Legion through National Headquarters, your membership will be assigned to the department (state) headquarters (HQ) post in your state of residence. The HQ posts are administrative posts with no meetings or activities, although you have the same membership benefits and can visit local posts as a guest. You can choose to remain in the HQ post, but it's recommended that you visit posts in your area and, if you find one you like, transfer. It's a great way to get involved with your local community.

Q: How do I transfer my membership to another post?

A: The transfer process is simple. Visit the post you're interested in joining and speak with an officer. You'll need to provide your 9-digit member ID and should also be prepared to show a copy of your DD214 (or similar) to verify your eligibility. After acceptance of your membership, the post will submit the necessary paperwork to notify the department (state) and National Headquarters of your transfer.

Q: Why doesn't my membership card reflect the total number of years I've been a member?

A: The annual card reflects your continuous years of membership. If you miss a year of paying dues, your continuous years start over. However, if you think there's a mistake, contact your post adjutant. If confirmed, they can submit a request to correct your record.

Q: How much does it cost to rent a post for a special event, like a birthday or reception?

A: You'll need to contact the post you're interested in renting. Each post runs its own business affairs, including whether or not the facilities can be rented, and National Headquarters isn't involved. If you're looking for a Legion post in your area, please visit Legion.org/posts to use the post locator.

Q: When does my membership expire?

A: Your membership expires on Dec. 31 of the paid year shown on your card. It can be confusing because your annual dues are supposed to be paid by Jan. 1 each year, so National Headquarters starts accepting dues for the upcoming year on July 1. The goal is to have everyone renewed for the new year by Jan. 1. If dues are not paid by Jan. 1, the member becomes delinquent. On Feb. 1, the member is suspended, and on June 30, the member is dropped from the membership rolls.

Q: I paid my dues a while ago, so why did I get another renewal notice?

A: Renewal notices are mailed from National Headquarters based on the information in our records at the time the notices are printed. Although you may have paid your dues, the National portion of your dues may not have reached our offices yet. When you pay your dues to the post, they process your payment and keep a portion for the post; the balance is sent to your department headquarters with your membership card; and finally, the department deducts its portion of your dues and then forwards the remaining balance and your membership card to National. Once National receives your dues and card, they are usually processed within 48 hours. On the renewal notice, you'll see there is an "as of" date which is when the notice was printed. If you paid your dues around that date, your dues and the renewal probably just crossed in the mail, and you shouldn't receive another one for that membership year. However, if you paid well in advance of that "as of" date, then contact your post adjutant to verify the status of your renewal payment.