Two important revisions have very recently been made by NSSAR in regards to Genealogy Policies that affect the SAR application process:
1) The requirement that an applicant must present a copy of his birth certificate has been rescinded but documentation of the applicant’s lineage is required. “A birth certificate is preferred as evidence of the applicant’s link to his parent in the lineage.”
2) The use of SAR/DAR/CAR record copies has been modified so that now, on SAR/DAR/CAR applications that have been approved after 01 January 1985, any official “record” or “chapter” DAR/CAR approved applications may be accepted as proof of corresponding lineage and related facts on SAR applications. The requirement that DAR/CAR record or chapter copies must have a corresponding check mark for each datum has been removed. DAR/CAR short-form applications are also deemed acceptable evidence of the lineage and related facts presented thereon.
In other words, DAR/CAR record or chapter copies approved after 01 January 1985 are now acceptable, even if they are center check-marked.
However, if SAR/DAR/CAR applications that have been approved prior to 01 January 1985 are used as proof of corresponding lineage and related facts on SAR applications, then those DAR/CAR record or chapter copies must have the corresponding check mark for each datum.
These changed policies are listed below:
NSSAR Genealogy Committee Policies – revised 06 March 2015
Policy Number 2005-03, Title – Application completeness, revised 3/06/2015:
The requirement “A birth certificate containing parent’s names, place of birth, and date of birth must be presented by the applicant when available.” has been removed. But please note that a birth certificate is preferred as evidence of the applicant’s link to his parent in the lineage.
Policy Number 2011-06, Policy Name – Applications from other lineage organization, revised 3/06/2015:
“In general, NSSAR requires each fact stated on membership applications to be proven according to the genealogical standards it has set. Out of respect for the standards observed by related organizations, official “record” or “chapter” copies of applications for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Children of the American Revolution approved after January 1, 1985, shall be accepted as evidence of corresponding lineage and related facts on SAR applications. Official copies of DAR or C.A.R. applications approved before that date shall be accepted as evidence with respect to corresponding facts that have been marked as individually-verified on the DAR or C.A.R. applications. This policy shall not apply with respect to portions of approved DAR or C.A.R. applications determined to be incorrect by DAR, C.A.R, or by the SAR Genealogist General.”
SAR Application Preparation Manual – revised 06 March 2015
page 7 – The Application Form Dos & Don’ts
page 21 – Using Previously Approved SAR, DAR & C.A.R. Record Copies
You can download the SAR Application Preparation Manual and the NSSAR Genealogy Committee Policies from the NSSAR website: http://www.sar.org/NSSAR-Forms
If you have any questions, contact WVSSAR Registrar Raymond M Kane Jr