The American Legion Auxiliary Membership Eligibility

 

     The American Legion Auxiliary’s membership is determined by The American Legion.  However, The American Legion’s determination of The American Legion Auxiliary’s membership eligibility must also fit within the confines of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition of a 501(c)(19) Veterans Service Organization Auxiliary. The American Legion Auxiliary is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(19) Veterans Organization. To be exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(19), an organization must be either: A Post or organization of past or present members of The United States Armed Forces; An Auxiliary Unit or society of such post or organization; or, A trust or foundation for such post or organization. The IRS defines eligibility within two degrees of consanguinity (blood relation). In 2019, The American Legion reviewed the eligibility of The American Legion Auxiliary and determined that allowing direct descendants (more than two degrees) was not in compliance with the IRS definition.  Therefore, the eligibility requirements were changed to allow only granddaughters as the furthest allowable relationship.

Membership in The American Legion Auxiliary is limited to:

 

1. Grandmothers, Mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion;

2. Grandmothers, Mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who served in either of the following periods:  April 6, 1917, to November, 11, 1918, and any time after December 7, 1941, who, being a citizen of The United States at the time of their entry therein served on active duty in The Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with The United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge;

3. Grandmothers, Mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who were in The Armed Forces of The United States during either of the following periods:  April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918, and any time after December 7, 1941, who served on active duty in The Armed Forces of The United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and,

4. Those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in The American Legion.*

 

*A woman who is eligible for The American Legion membership is eligible to join The American Legion Auxiliary regardless of whether or not she is a member of The American Legion.  However, eligibility of her female relatives (Mother, sister, direct descendants) and/or spouse depends upon her membership in The American Legion.