New members may join the Order upon the completion of the application form, with acceptable documentary proof of lineal descent from a Founder ancestor, and the affirmative vote of a 2/3 majority of the Executive Committee present and voting. Ancestor Founders previously approved in Applications.

Those interested in a membership should contact the Order using the Membership Inquiry form.

After your Membership Inquiry Form has been processed and approved, you will be contacted by the Secretary General and provided additional membership details including an application form.

Eligibility

 

Any man, woman, boy or girl, of good moral character is eligible for membership in this Order who lineally descends from the Founders of North America, including the Caribbean and offshore North Atlantic Islands during the period of 1492 to 1692. Members may descend from Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Scottish, Swedish, German, Danish, and Italian royalty, explorers, settlers, and seamen transporting and supplying these colonists.
 

Qualifications for Membership

New members may join the Order upon the completion of the application form, with acceptable documentary proof of lineal descent from a Founder ancestor, and the affirmative vote of a 2/3 majority of the Executive Committee present and voting.

The Order will accept documented and proven pedigrees as listed:
Society of the Cincinnati (1783),
Sons of the American Revolution (1889),
Sons of the Revolution (1889),
Daughters of the American Revolution (1890),
Colonial Dames of America (1890),
National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (1892
General Society of Colonial Wars (1893),
General Society of the War of 1812 (1894),
Children of the American Revolution (1895),
Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (1896),
Families of Virginia (1912)
Colonial Dames of the XVII Century (1915)
Jamestowne Society (1936)
General Society of Mayflower Descendants
Hereditary Order Descendants of Colonial Governors
National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars
National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America
Order of Founders and Patriots in America
Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters
Daughters of the Cincinnati
Society of the Descendants of Colonial Clergy
Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens

The Order may accept documented and proven pedigrees accepted by other societies on a case-by-case basis. The list will be expanded from time to time. For those applications that do not reach back before 1692, documentary evidence must be provided to connect to the applicant’s Founder ancestor.
 

Membership Classifications

 

ADULTS:

Any man or woman, of 18 years of age or older, of good moral character is eligible for membership in this Order who lineally descends from the Founders of North America, including the Caribbean and offshore North Atlantic Islands during the period of 1492 to 1692. Members may descend from Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Scottish, Swedish, German, Danish, and Italian royalty, explorers, settlers, and seamen transporting and supplying these colonists.

JUNIORS:

Any boy or girl, under the age of 18 years, is eligible for junior membership in this Order, provided they have a Founder ancestor meeting the qualifications in Section 1. If they are a junior member in good standing upon attaining their 18th birthday, they shall automatically become regular members.

COMPANION OF THE ORDER:

For people interested in supporting the mission of the Order, but lacking a qualifying Founder ancestor, they may be granted honorary “Companion of the Order” status by a 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Committee. They shall be entitled to attend meetings and serve on committees, but shall not be able to vote or hold elective office in the Order.

PATRONS:

The Grand Viscount/Viscountess General may appoint one or more Patrons to be recognized for support of the Order and accomplishments in their respective field. This appointment must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. Patrons will receive a complementary and honorary membership in the Order, including a certificate, membership medal, and General Officers neck ribbon and sash. A list of Patrons will be maintained on the Order’s webpage.
 

Fees and Dues

The applicant, regardless of age, pays a fee of $350.00 for lifetime membership. The fees includes a comprehensive review by the Genealogist and administrative costs.

If approved, this fee becomes a lifetime membership payment; meaning no other monies will ever be due — except for future supplemental applications.