How to join Navy Federal credit Union without being military 2022

Are You Eligible to Join Navy Federal? Let's Find Out!

By Navy Federal February 24, 2017 Tag(s):

You may know that Navy Federal provides quality financial products and services, but you may be surprised to know that we serve more than the Navy. In fact, eligible members span all branches of the armed forces, the Department of Defense (DOD), veterans and their families. We pride ourselves in having over 80 years of experience serving members of the military and their families. Find out how you might qualify for membership or how you can share your current membership with a family or household member.

Who Can Join?

Wondering if you or your family members are eligible to join? If you’re a veteran of the armed forces, you can join. How about if you’re a veterinarian whose sister is in the Army? You can join, too. If you’re a Naval Commanding Officer or an Army Plebe, we’d love to serve you. How about if your spouse works for a DoD installation? You’re welcome to become a member, too.

Here’s a quick guide to Navy Federal’s field of membership.

Membership is open to:

Active Duty members, reservists, veterans, retirees and annuitants of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard

• Army and Air National Guard personnel
• Delayed Entry Program personnel
• Department of Defense (DoD) civilians
• U.S. government employees assigned to DoD installations
• contractors assigned to DoD installations
• family members of one of the above

The Ties That Bind

To be a member of the credit union, you must be a veteran, have current ties to the armed forces, Department of Defense, or National Guard, or have an immediate family member who has a membership with Navy Federal. Once you join, membership is for life. You don’t need to close your account if you leave the armed forces, retire or leave your DoD job; just make sure you keep your account active. For example, if you’re a member who signed up during boot camp and are currently transitioning to a civilian career, there’s no need to close your account. We’d love to continue to serve you and your family through all stages of your financial life. In fact, once you close your account, you’ll need to qualify again (see list above) in order to re-join. So, it’s best to keep your account open to ensure lifetime membership for you and your family.

All in the Family

If you have an immediate family member who has joined or one who’s eligible to join, you can become a Navy Federal member. Immediate family members include grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings, grandchildren, children (including adopted and stepchildren) and household members. Household members are defined as those who share your address and pay a major utility bill.

In the application process, family and household members are referred to as "sponsors" (the person through whom you're eligible for membership).

Signing Up Is Easy

Ready to join? With the right information in front of you, you can apply for membership online in about 10 minutes. You can even sign your children up for membership through our online youth application. Feel free to give us a call at 1-888-842-6328 or visit a branch to apply in person.

Items you’ll need to apply:

• Social Security Number
• Driver’s license or government ID
• Current home address
• Credit card or bank account and routing number to fund your account
• Email address

If you’re being sponsored by a relative or household mate, you’ll also need to provide the sponsor’s last name, Access Number and affiliation (e.g., spouse, grandfather). If you’re unsure of his or her Access Number, you may use the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number and date of birth.

Learn more about Navy Federal membership and the benefits of joining the largest credit union in the world. We can’t wait to serve the financial needs of you and your family for generations to come.

This article is intended to provide general information and shouldn't be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.