Can You Join Navy Federal Credit Union Without Being in the Military?
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Susan Kim
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Navy Federal Credit Union provides membership to people from all branches of the armed forces. This includes veterans, Department of Defense employees and contractors, and the immediate family members of these eligible individuals. If you have been curious about joining or just want to learn more about whether you are eligible to become a member of Navy Federal, read on to see if this credit union is the right fit for you.
Can You Join Navy Federal If You’re Not a Military Service Member?
Navy Federal Credit Union membership involves specific requirements to join. Essentially, you must have some affiliation or association with some branch of the armed forces. Though you don’t necessarily have to be in the military, you do otherwise have to be a civilian who has worked for an area of the military or is a family or household member of a Navy Federal member.
Navy Federal Membership Eligibility
NFCU is member exclusive no matter if you are using it for free active duty checking options, interest rates, prepaid cards, ATM fee rebates or digital banking and mobile app features. Here are some eligibility requirements you should familiarize yourself with before applying:
- Members of the armed forces: Including veterans, active service members, annuitants affiliated with the armed forces as well as retirees. Those in the following branches of the U.S. armed forces can qualify to join Navy Federal Credit Union: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Delayed Entry Program, Department of Defense officer candidates or ROTC, Department of Defense reservists, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy or Space Force.
- Family members: Immediate family or household members of Navy Federal members are also eligible for NFCU membership.
- Existing NFCU members: You can submit an online application for a minor if you are their parent, grandparent or guardian.
- Other individuals eligible for membership: Outside of being actively involved in the armed forces, there is also room for eligibility if you are a Department of Defense contractor, civilian employee or retiree.
How To Get a Navy Federal Account
If you qualify to become a Navy Federal member, it is good to know that membership is valid for life unless you close your account.
To see if you qualify to join, you can apply online, call the credit union or apply in person at your local Navy Federal branch. Here is what you’ll need:
- Driver’s license or government-issued ID
- Social Security number
- Money to fund the account via either your credit card or your bank account number and routing number
Final Take To GO
Though joining Navy Federal Credit Union isn’t possible for everyone, it is possible for more than just active military personnel. You can still qualify to join if you are in the immediate family or household of a Navy Federal member; a minor with a parent, grandparent or guardian who is an existing NFCU member; or a contractor, civilian employee or retiree who has worked for the Department of Defense.
FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about whether you can join Navy Federal Credit Union without being in the military.- Can anyone get an account with Navy Federal?
- No, unfortunately, you either need to be a member of the military or armed forces, be a family or household member of a Navy Federal member, or have worked for some branch of the military. Below is an outline of eligibility requirements for NFCU:
- Members of the armed forces, including veterans, active service members, annuitants affiliated with the armed forces as well as retirees, are eligible to join Navy Federal.
- Immediate family or household members of Navy Federal members are also eligible for NFCU membership.
- Existing NFCU members can submit an online application for minors who are their children or grandchildren or are under their guardianship.
- Outside of being actively involved in the armed forces, there is also room for eligibility if you are a Department of Defense contractor, civilian employee or retiree.
- No, unfortunately, you either need to be a member of the military or armed forces, be a family or household member of a Navy Federal member, or have worked for some branch of the military. Below is an outline of eligibility requirements for NFCU:
- Can I get a Navy Federal account without being in the military?
- Yes, you can join Navy Federal without being in the military if you are in the immediate family or household of a Navy Federal member, retired from the military, a contractor for the Department of Defense, or a civilian employee or retiree who has worked for the Department of Defense.
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