Any male person of good character, and lineal descendant of one who, as a
military, naval or marine officer, soldier, sailor, or marine, in actual
service, under the authority of any of the thirteen Colonies or States or of
the Continental Congress, and remaining always loyal to such authority, or a
lineal descendant of one who signed the Declaration of Independence, or of
one who, as a member of the Continental Congress, or of the Congress of any
of the Colonies or States, or as an official appointed by or under the
authority of any such legislative bodies, actually assisted in the
establishment of American Independence by services rendered during the War
of the Revolution, becoming thereby liable to conviction of treason against
the Government of Great Britain, but remaining always loyal to the authority
of the Colonies or States, or, who served honorably in a military or naval
expedition against the British during the War of the Revolution under the
authority of the French or Spanish Governments shall be eligible to
membership in the Society. Both Senior and Junior (the latter under the age
of eighteen years) memberships are available.
Provided,
That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor in
the "minute-men" or "militia", it must be satisfactorily shown that such an
ancestor was actually called into service of the State or United States, and
performed garrison or field duty; and
Provided further,
That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor as
a "sailor" or "marine", it must in like manner be shown that such service
was other than shore duty and regularly performed in the Continental Navy,
or the navy of one of the original thirteen states, or on an armed vessel,
other than a merchant ship, which sailed under letters of marque and
reprisal, and that such ancestor of the applicant was duly enrolled in the
ship's company, either as an officer, seaman or otherwise than as a
passenger; and
Provided further,
That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor as
an "official," such service must have been performed in the civil service of
the United States, or one of the thirteen original States, and must have
been sufficiently important in character to have rendered the official
liable to arrest and imprisonment, the same as a combatant, if captured by
the enemy, as well as liable to conviction of treason against the Government
of Great Britain.
Service in the ordinary duties of civil office, the performance of which did
not particularly and effectively aid the American Cause shall not constitute
eligibility.
In the construction of this article, the volunteer Aides-de-Camp of General
Officers in Continental Service, who were duly announced as such and who
actually served in the field during a campaign, shall be comprehended as
having performed qualifying service.
The civil officials and military forces of the State of Vermont, during the
War of the Revolution, shall also be comprehended in the same manner as if
they had belonged to one of the thirteen original States.
No service of an ancestor shall be deemed as qualifying service for
membership in the "Sons of the Revolution" where such ancestor, after
assisting in the cause of American Independence, shall have subsequently
either adhered to the enemy, or failed to maintain an honorable record
throughout the War of the Revolution.
No person shall be admitted unless he be eligible under one of the
provisions of this article, nor unless he be of good moral character and be
judged worthy of becoming a member.
Application Forms
Application Long Form PDF Format
Application Long Form Word Document (Application Help)
Application Short Form {check with your state agency to see if the Short Form is acceptable}