Do I have a way to join NFCU?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, I've checked the forum a few times concerning this, and looks like the answers change from time to time.

Background, I'm a US citizen now (from Switzerland), my father in law is a Navy Vet, I'm a USAA member. Sadly, he can't join NFCU because he burned them back in the days, so I can't get an access number from him.

I've called, and the first rep told me father in law works for connection, the second one told me only direct parents or kids works.

Is there another way? Not that I NEED IT, but by seeing how great of a credit union they are, I wanted to try. I'm ok with USAA, but after wasting a few HP to raise my Amex $500sl in the past two years, I've stopped trying.  And I had bad experience with PenFed (blocking over $15k on my checking account a few years ago and other customer service issues).

I was able to slide in with USAA with life insurance back in the days, and then thought my wife for Credit services, so not sure if there is a back door way in with NFCU as well.

[Anonymous]

Your wife can receive NFCU membership via your father-in-law. She would call in or go in branch to join, paperwork (DD 214) most likely not needed.

She can then give you membership.

[blindambition]

Best route is for spouse to join through father military affiliation. Then you join through spouse, or join with spouse on joint account.

[AllZero]

I believe you are eligible. Your FIL does not need to be a member for you to apply.

Is your wife the "direct" daughter of your FIL? If yes, that may also be another method for membership.

You can call them to apply over the telephone. Membership process should be a simple 15-20 minute conversation. CSR will talk you through the process. Navy is open 24/7/365.

[Anonymous]

Actually, she is not. Just thinking that now. the Father in law is her stepdad! (since over 30 years though!). Didn't even think about that. 

[AllZero]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Actually, she is not. Just thinking that now. the Father in law is her stepdad! (since over 30 years though!). Didn't even think about that. 

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Per NFCU website, adopted and stepchildren are good to go.

https://www.navyfederal.org/membership/eligibility.html

[chiefone4u]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Actually, she is not. Just thinking that now. the Father in law is her stepdad! (since over 30 years though!). Didn't even think about that. 

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Step children are included (according to website) as family members. I would imagine it would be less complicated to have your spouse become a member on their own and have them sponsor you as a household member. 

I am not a member of NFCU, I have multiple options for becoming a member but I don't have the documents to prove if asked and haven't bothered gathering the paperwork. 

When I asked about applying through my step dad, I was told I could and wouldn't need any documentation to open accounts. However if an audit was to occur (because he's not a member) I could be asked to prove his military affiliation (DD-214) as well as my birth certificate showing proof of mother and their marriage certificate proving he was/is my step-father.

  While this information is available, for now it seems more of a hassle than I'm interested in going through. 

[Anonymous]

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@chiefone4u wrote:

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I am not a member of NFCU, I have multiple options for becoming a member but I don't have the documents to prove if asked and haven't bothered gathering the paperwork. 

They accept alternative paperwork for obvious, not obvious and sensibility reasons. I didn't have a DD 214 but I did present other documents they were satisfied with.