Navy Federal membership is open to military members, veterans, Department of Defense civilians, and their families
Navy Federal Credit Union does not accept everyone who applies. The credit union restricts membership to people with a military or Department of Defense connection. This means you must either serve in the military, have served in the past, work for the Department of Defense, or be a family member of someone in one of those categories.
The specific groups Navy Federal accepts are active-duty service members from any branch, retired military personnel, veterans with a discharge that is not dishonorable, Department of Defense civilian employees, and when ready family members of people in any of those groups. Family members can join even if they themselves have no military connection.
Key Takeaways
- Active-duty service members from all military branches can join Navy Federal when ready using their military ID.
- Veterans can join if their discharge is honorable, general under honorable conditions, or other than dishonorable, but not if it is dishonorable.
- Department of Defense civilian employees are members, as are their spouses and children.
- Family members of military personnel or veterans can join even without their own military service history.
- You will need to provide proof of your military status or family relationship when you open an account.
Active-Duty Service Members and Retirees
If you are on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard, you can join Navy Federal. You will need a valid military ID to open an account. Active-duty members have the broadest access to Navy Federal's products and services.
Military retirees — people who have completed a full career and receive a military pension — are also members. You will need to show your military retiree ID or a copy of your retirement orders. The credit union does not distinguish between retirees from different branches.
Veterans and Discharge Status Requirements
Veterans can join Navy Federal, but only if their discharge from the military was honorable or general under honorable conditions. A discharge marked as "other than dishonorable" also qualifies. If your discharge is listed as dishonorable, you cannot join.
To prove your veteran status, you will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, commonly called a DD Form 214. This document shows your discharge status. If you do not have a physical copy, you can request one from the National Archives or through your branch's records office.
Navy Federal does not have a time limit on when you served. A person who left the military 30 years ago and a person who left last year are treated the same way, as long as the discharge qualifies.
Department of Defense Civilian Employees
People who work as civilians for the Department of Defense are Navy Federal members. This includes employees at military bases, defense agencies, and other DoD offices. You will need to show a current DoD civilian ID or a recent pay stub showing your DoD employer.
DoD civilian status is separate from military service. You do not need to have served in the military to join as a civilian employee. Your employment with the Department of Defense is the only requirement.
Family Members and Dependents
Spouses and children of active-duty service members, retirees, and veterans can join Navy Federal. The credit union defines when ready family as spouses and unmarried children under age 23 (or up to age 25 if enrolled full-time in college). Adult children over those ages cannot join based on a parent's military service.
Family members do not need their own military connection. A spouse with no service history can join based on their spouse's active-duty status. Children can join based on a parent's service. You will need to show proof of your relationship — a marriage certificate for a spouse, or a birth certificate for a child — along with the service member's military ID or discharge papers.
If a service member or veteran passes away, their surviving spouse and children may remain members, though Navy Federal's rules on survivor membership can vary. Contact the credit union directly if this situation applies to you.
How to Prove Your Military Status or Relationship
When you open an account, Navy Federal will ask for documents that prove you meet the membership requirement. The documents you need depend on which category you fall into.
| Your Status | Documents You Will Need |
|---|---|
| Active-duty service member | Valid military ID (CAC, dependent ID, or service branch ID) |
| Military retiree | Military retiree ID or copy of retirement orders |
| Veteran | DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing honorable or general discharge |
| DoD civilian employee | Current DoD civilian ID or recent pay stub showing DoD employer |
| Spouse of service member or veteran | Marriage certificate plus service member's military ID or DD Form 214 |
| Child of service member or veteran | Birth certificate plus service member's military ID or DD Form 214 |
You can open an account online, by phone, or in person at a Navy Federal branch. If you explore online, you will upload images of your documents. If you explore by phone or in person, you can show the originals or copies.
What Happens If You Do Not Meet the Membership Requirements
If you do not have a military connection and are not a family member of someone who does, Navy Federal will not open an account for you. The credit union is restricted by federal law to serve only military-connected people, and this rule is enforced.
If you are turned down, it is usually because the documents you provided did not show the required connection. For example, a discharge marked as dishonorable, or a family relationship that does not meet Navy Federal's definition. If you believe you were turned down in error, you can contact Navy Federal to ask them to review your documents again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join Navy Federal if I was dishonorably discharged?
No. Navy Federal only accepts veterans with honorable, general under honorable conditions, or other than dishonorable discharges. A dishonorable discharge disqualifies you from membership.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to join Navy Federal?
Navy Federal does not publicly state a citizenship requirement for membership. However, you will need to provide a Social Security number or ITIN to open an account, and you must meet the military or DoD connection requirement. Contact Navy Federal directly if you are not a U.S. citizen and want to know whether you can join.
Can my adult child join if they are over 23?
No, unless they are enrolled full-time in college, in which case they may join until age 25. Once they turn 25 or leave school, they can no longer join based on your military service. However, if they have their own military service or DoD employment, they can join on that basis.
What if I lost my DD Form 214?
You can request a replacement from the National Archives or through your military branch's records office. The process usually takes a few weeks. In the meantime, contact Navy Federal to ask whether they will accept other documents, such as a military ID or a letter from your branch confirming your discharge status.
Can I join Navy Federal if I am a family member but the service member is not a member?
No. The service member or veteran must be a member first, or at least meet the membership requirements. You cannot join based on a family relationship to someone who does not themselves may have access to for membership.