How to Become a USAA Member: Eligibility & Application

USAA is a financial services organization dedicated primarily to serving the United States military community and their eligible family members. Becoming a member grants access to a comprehensive suite of financial products and services, which include various types of insurance, banking solutions, and investment opportunities.

Understanding USAA Membership Eligibility

USAA membership is not open to the general public; strict eligibility guidelines ensure its services remain focused on the military community. The primary groups eligible for membership include active-duty personnel in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves. Veterans who have retired or received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military are also eligible. This also extends to pre-commissioned officers, such as cadets and midshipmen at service academies, those in advanced ROTC, or officer candidates within 24 months of commissioning.

Eligibility further extends to certain family members of those who qualify through military service. Spouses of USAA members are eligible, and children, including biological, adopted, and stepchildren, may also join if their parent is or was a USAA member. Grandchildren can qualify if both their parents and grandparents are USAA members. Additionally, widows, widowers, and un-remarried former spouses who had USAA auto or property insurance during their marriage may retain or establish membership.

Required Information and Documentation

Prospective members should gather specific personal and military-related details before starting the application process. This includes your full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. Current contact information, such as your residential address, phone number, and email address, will also be necessary.

For those applying based on military service, details about your service are required. This involves specifying your branch of service, dates of active duty or retirement, and the type of discharge received, such as an Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions discharge. A DD Form 214 or a military ID card can serve as proof of service. Family members applying for membership will need to provide information about their eligible military sponsor, including their name, relationship to the sponsor, and potentially the sponsor’s USAA member number or service details if known. Proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate for spouses or a birth certificate for children, will also be needed.

The Application Process for USAA Membership

The process for applying for USAA membership primarily allows applications online through the USAA website or by phone. To apply online, applicants navigate to the “Join” or “Become a Member” section on the USAA homepage. This initial step involves creating an account or providing basic identifying information to begin the eligibility verification.

Applicants then proceed through a series of screens, inputting the prepared personal, contact, and military service details. For those applying by phone, a representative will guide them through the same information collection process. After submission, USAA undertakes a verification process to confirm eligibility, which may take a few business days. Upon successful verification, members receive a welcome package and instructions on how to access their new benefits, which can include setting up banking accounts or obtaining insurance quotes.