The "Sons of the American Revolution" is what is known as a "lineage" society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783. Additionally, each member must be male, at least 18 years of age, and a citizen of good repute in the community. Note that the "Daughters of the American Revolution" is a similar organization for women and the "Children of the American Revolution" has a membership under 18 years of age.

Participation in one or more of the following types of service is required of an ancestor if a descendent is to be eligible to join the SAR:

• Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
• Member of any of the Continental Congresses.
• Member of the Boston Tea Party, Kaskaskia Campaign, Galvez Expedition, Cherokee Expedition, or Ededton Tea Party.
• Participated in military or naval service, including service at the Battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774; service from April 19, 1775 to November 26, 1783; or furnished a substitute for military service.
• Rendered material aid, such as furnishing supplies; lending money to the Colonies, munitions makers, or gunsmiths; or any other material aid which furthered the Cause.
• Defenders of forts and frontiers; rangers.
• Prisoners of war, including those on the British ship "Old Jersey" and other prison ships.
• Physician, surgeon, nurse, or others rendering aid to the wounded.
• Minister known to be in sympathy with the Colonies, either by sermon, speech, or action.
• Civil service under the Colonies from April 19, 1775 to November 26, 1783.
• Member of committees made necessary by the war, such as the Committee of Correspondence, Committee of Inspection and Safety, Committee to care for soldiers' families, or any other Committees that furthered the cause of the Colonies from six months before the Battle of Point Pleasant.
• Any pledge to support the cause of the Colonies, such as signing the Oath of Fidelity and Support, Oath of Aliegiance, Articles of Association, or Association Test.
• Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration in 1775; the Albemarle, Virginia, Declaration; and similar declarations.
• Signers of petitions addressed to and recognizing the authority of the provisional and new state governments.
• Persons accepting obligations or acting under direction of the provisional and new state governments, such as persons directed to hold elections, to oversee road construction, to collect provisions, etc.

Members having more than one qualifying ancestor may file supplemental applications. Since one of the SAR's objectives is to acquire and preserve the records of the individual service of patriots of the war, all members having more that one qualifying ancestor are strongly urged to prepare and file supplemental applications.

Details of the procedure for preparing the application for membership, documenting linage and relationship to a patriot, payment of dues, etc. is detailed on the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) web site. Go to that site through the rightmost navigation tab, above. Once at the NSSAR site, click the "Membership" tab for more information. Personal advice and support in preparing the necessary application can be obtained through officers of your local chapter.