New Commemorative America 250 Membership Certificates!

This year we will welcome new members to DAR with a special commemorative membership certificate! These certificates include both the Wright Administration emblem and the America 250! anniversary logo.  Women verified as new DAR members after the 250th anniversary of the December 16, 1773, Boston Tea Party will also find a unique anniversary number on each member certificate.  The Boston Tea Party’s anniversary is the official start of the DAR ten-year celebration of the America 250! commemorative member certificates, and will continue through 2033 when DAR recognizes the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty, signed on September 3, 1783, formally established the United States as an independent nation.  How many new members will join DAR during the 250th anniversary celebration?  Our congratulations to our first America 250! Celebration members, Madison McGee, FL (#1), and Stephanie Papadopoulos, AZ (#2).  Numbered certificates are processed in the order of staff review completion and verification date. 

Here are some tips and reminders for those chapters and states preparing prospective member Applications:

1. Verify that each Application provides record documentation for all dates and places stated on generations 1 -3. Vital records are often the best documentation to provide to show the names, dates and places for the first three generations.
2. Don't forget to make sure the Patriot's source of service and residence is listed on page 4. If one or both are missing, research is needed to locate the needed documentation, as well as listed on the Application.
3. Make sure all the submitted documentation has citations that will enable the next researcher to locate the document. When possible, cite the most recent national number for that generation.
4. Ensure there are proven parent-child links between each generation. 
5. Make sure all Applications are signed correctly on page 1! (This is a common problem and will result in the delay of Application approval.)
6. Make sure the correct payment amounts ON CHAPTER CHECKS accompany each Application!  The Resource section of the DAR member website provides a list of Membership Dues and Fees and Genealogy-Related Fees to assist you. Click https://www.dar.org/members/dues-and-fees.  You must submit both first-year dues and Application fees for new member submissions. 
7. Make sure the applicant reviews the Application for correctness on all pages. We also suggest that another set of eyes review the Application.

DAR has so much to look forward to as we begin the march toward July 4, 2026!  And, it has never been easier to join DAR!  Prospective members are encouraged to review the Genealogy section of www.DAR.org to find nearby DAR chapters and resources for locating Patriot ancestors.  The DAR mission of service through Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism is sure to attract women seeking ways to serve their own communities during America’s 250th Anniversary celebration.  Now is the perfect time to encourage friends and family members to join DAR and receive their distinctive America 250! commemorative certificate.