---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 200303"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations"
number: "200303"
heading: "Membership"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/200303"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations"
  - "Part B — Organizations"
  - "Chapter 2003 — Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War"
---

# §200303. Membership

- (a) **General.—** Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility for membership in the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) and the rights, privileges, and designation of classes of members are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7).
- (b) **Required Service.—** Eligibility for membership in the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) is limited to male blood relatives of an individual who—
  - (1) served at any time during the period from April 12, 1861, through April 9, 1865, as a soldier or sailor in—
    - (A) the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue-Cutter Service; or
    - (B) a State regiment that was called into active service and was subject to orders of United States general officers during that period; and
  - (2) was discharged honorably from, or died in, that service.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1453.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 200303 | 36:535. | Aug. 20, 1954, ch. 774, § 5, 68 Stat. 750. |

In subsection (a), the words “are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation” are substituted for “shall . . . be determined as the constitution and bylaws of the corporation may provide” for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (b)(1), the words “at any time” are added for clarity.