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Appeals and Pended Applications

Summary: Rules for pended applications (timeline, resubmission limits, expiration) and the process for appealing adverse decisions by the Genealogy Staff or Genealogist General.

Sources: National Society, Sons of the American Revolution.md (GCP Sections 6.3000–6.4004, 6.6000–6.6005), # Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).md (APG, Appendix I)

Last updated: 2026-04-15

Pended Applications (GCP 6.3000)

An application is "pended" when the Genealogy Staff requires additional information before it can be approved.

Communication (GCP 6.3000)

All communication with the genealogy staff regarding a pended application must be routed through the State Point of Contact (POC) or State Genealogist. Neither may give permission for an applicant or other member to contact the genealogy staff directly.

If more than two or three sentences are needed to explain how new documentation resolves the issue, a Proof Argument must be provided. (See [[proof-argument]].)

The Genealogist General has authority to grant exceptions to time limits or number of submissions on pended applications.

Priority in queue (GCP 6.3001)

  • If documentation addressing the problem is received within 45 calendar days of the pended notification, the application is reviewed as next in queue for that staff genealogist
  • If received after 45 days, it is queued as a newly received application
  • Subsequent submissions to resolve the same issue are limited to three additional submissions
  • If the original issue is resolved but a new issue is found, the 45-day priority period restarts upon notification of the new issue

Expiration (GCP 6.3002)

  • Pended applications remain on file for two years from the date pended, then expire
  • Expired applications cannot be resubmitted without payment of an additional application fee
  • An applicant has the right to replace a pended application with another patriot ancestor one time without an additional fee
  • Expired documentation can be returned to the state (at state's expense), held for pickup, or shredded — if the state gives no direction, it is shredded after the next Leadership Meeting or Congress

Deficiencies and Flags (GCP 6.2002)

When a deficiency in lineage or service (or a solution to one) is found for a previously approved application, the Genealogist General establishes a flag on the patriot's record.

Flag types

  1. FAMPCL — Future applicants must prove correct lineage
  2. FAMPCS — Future applicants must prove correct service
  3. THIS LINE MAY NOT BE USED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE SAR
  4. PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED WITH AT LEAST ONE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED APPLICATION — SEE PATRIOT ANCESTOR'S FULL RECORD
  5. GRANDFATHERED — This application was approved under the Grandfather provision and cannot be used by future applicants until problems in the previous application are resolved
  6. DATA IN CORRECTIONS FILE

A detailed explanation (subject to privacy limits for recent generations) is provided so applicants and reviewing officials know the specific problem, its solution if available, and which applications are affected.

Anyone may recommend placing or modifying a flag by submitting documentation to the Genealogy Committee for initial review. (source: National Society, Sons of the American Revolution.md, GCP 6.2002c)

Corrections to Approved Applications (GCP 6.2001)

Already approved applications will not be amended. New information can only be introduced by: 1. Submission of a new SAR application for the same patriot and lineage by a qualifying relative of the original applicant, OR 2. Submission of a supplemental application based on a different genealogical lineage leading to the same patriot ancestor

Expedited Processing (GCP 6.4000–6.4004)

An applicant, sponsor, state registrar, or state president may request expedited processing in writing (email counts) to the Executive Director, Genealogist General, and/or Genealogy Committee Chairman. Requests should be made in advance of submission. Expedited processing is not available for supplemental applications.

Number of approving members required

Situation Members required
Active-duty military in a war zone or facing imminent deployment 1
Applicant nearing end of life (hospice, extremely advanced age) 1
Civilian sent by government or employer to an area of conflict 1
Applicants of very high social/governmental status (governors, ambassadors) 2
Lower-level government officials, special celebrities 3
All other cases 3

Denial of an expedited processing request may be appealed to the President General. (source: National Society, Sons of the American Revolution.md, GCP 6.4004)

Appeals of Adverse Decisions (GCP 6.6000–6.6005)

What can be appealed (GCP 6.6000)

  1. Pending an application
  2. Denying that a particular service of the patriot has been proven
  3. Denying that a particular name has been proven (usually a non-bloodline spouse)
  4. Denying that a date or place of birth, death, or marriage has been proven

When and how (GCP 6.6001)

  • Appeals may be made after an application is approved, pended, or disapproved — but not on expired pended applications
  • Appeals must be made within six months of the approval, disapproval, or completion of a reviewing genealogist's decision
  • Appeals of approved applications are limited to correcting errors made by the Genealogy Staff
  • Additional evidence may only be submitted on pended applications to support facts the Staff found insufficient

First, submit additional evidence to the reviewing staff genealogist. If the application remains pended, then appeal in writing (including email) to the Genealogist General, with a copy to the reviewing genealogist.

Two kinds of appeal

Step 1 — Review by Genealogist General (GCP 6.6002): An applicant, with the concurrence of their state's registrar, genealogist, POC, or president, may request the Genealogist General review an adverse decision by the Genealogy Staff. The request must include: - A specific description of the decision(s) being appealed - A specific description of any disagreement about policy interpretation

Step 2 — Appeal to President General (GCP 6.6003): Under Bylaw No. 9, an applicant (with state concurrence) may appeal the Genealogist General's decision to the President General. The appeal must include: 1. A statement that the appeal is under Bylaw No. 9 2. The ACN, applicant's name, and (for supplements) the SAR National Number 3. The name of the staff genealogist responsible 4. Specific description of the decision(s) being appealed 5. Any disagreement about policy interpretation 6. A brief account of steps taken to address additional information requests 7. (Invited) A brief summary of why the decision should be overturned

The Genealogist General re-examines the application and either resolves in the applicant's favor (reporting to the President General) or submits their findings to the President General per Bylaw 9.

What NOT to include in an appeal (GCP 6.6004)

  • Documentation and correspondence irrelevant to the decision(s) being appealed
  • Information and arguments not previously submitted to the reviewing genealogist

If new information is discovered after an appeal is filed, submit it to the Genealogist General, the reviewing genealogist, and the person filing the appeal.

Further research (GCP 6.6005)

The Genealogist General has the right to conduct further research as part of the appeal process.

  • [[application-types]]
  • [[application-requirements]]
  • [[proof-argument]]
  • [[record-copies]]