At the 2026 American Legion National Convention, delegates adopted new membership eligibility language for the American Legion Auxiliary — expanding eligibility and allowing more family members to join the ALA.
 
The Legion has authority over the ALA’s membership eligibility; this gender-neutral language change allows more people into our organization — strengthening our ability to better serve our veterans, military, and their families.  
 
Following is the updated text from The American Legion that reflects the updated eligibility provisions for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary:  
 
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:
 
Section 2. Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary shall be limited to: 
 
(1) grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and direct or adopted descendants within two degrees of consanguinity of members of The American Legion; and 
 
(2) grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and direct or adopted descendants within two degrees of consanguinity of all servicemembers 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) grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and direct or adopted descendants within two degrees of consanguinity of all servicemembers 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 period and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and
 
(4) to those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in The American Legion.
 
The revisions to the ALA’s eligibility mentioned above allow individuals the potential to be members of both the Sons of The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. The Legion’s national judge advocate has confirmed that this dual membership does not constitute a conflict of interest with The American Legion. 
 
The eligibility changes are effective immediately. Updated membership applications, brochures, and additional membership resources are available at www.ALAforVeterans.org.
 
For any questions related to this eligibility change, please email ALA National Headquarters’ Membership Division at membership@ALAforVeterans.org.