How to Join America First Credit Union

America First Credit Union membership is open to a wide community. Eligibility extends to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in qualifying counties across Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. Family members of existing AFCU members and employees of partner organizations also qualify. Joining requires a $1 deposit into a Regular Savings account, which represents the member's share of ownership in the credit union cooperative.

Who is eligible to join AFCU

AFCU's field of membership covers residents of qualifying counties in seven western states. The geographic eligibility extends to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, or volunteers in the qualifying counties — not just to homeowners or full-time residents. Renters, students, military personnel stationed in the area, and workers commuting into a qualifying county from outside all meet the geographic test.

Family eligibility is broad. Any immediate family member of an existing AFCU member can join regardless of where that family member lives — including parents, children, spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and in some cases extended family. The family member does not need to live in one of the seven states; the existing-member relationship is enough. This is the most common path for members who relocate outside the AFCU footprint to continue banking with the credit union and bring family members along.

Employer eligibility covers employees of AFCU partner organizations. AFCU partners with hundreds of employers across the western US — Hill Air Force Base remains the founding employer relationship, and modern partnerships include school districts, hospital systems, technology companies, and government agencies. The HR department at a partner employer can confirm whether AFCU membership is included as a benefit.

Step-by-step: how to join AFCU

1. Confirm eligibility. Use the eligibility check on the official application page or call 1-800-999-3961 to verify your county, family relationship, or employer qualifies. Most applicants in the seven-state footprint qualify directly by residence.
2. Gather your documents. Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, US passport), Social Security number or ITIN, and proof of address (recent utility bill or lease if your ID address is out of date). Existing-member family applications also need the existing member's account number.
3. Apply online or at a branch. The online application at americafirst.com takes about 10 minutes including identity verification and electronic opening deposit. In-branch applications are similar but allow cash opening deposit. Both paths issue a member number at the end.
4. Fund the Regular Savings account. A minimum $1 deposit establishes membership. The $1 represents your share of ownership in the credit union cooperative and must remain in the account for as long as you are a member.
5. Set up online banking. Once the member number is issued, enroll in online banking at secure.americafirst.com. Online banking is required to access checking, debit card, mobile app, and direct deposit features.

What you get as an AFCU member

Membership comes with access to the full AFCU product set: Free Checking, Rewards Checking, multiple savings account tiers, Money Market, Certificates (CDs) including Bump CDs and IRA Certificates, Visa Credit Cards (Cash Rewards, Platinum Rewards, Visa Signature, Secured), and the full loan menu (auto, RV, motorcycle, personal, HELOC, mortgage, business). All product rates and fees are listed on the official AFCU rate sheet.

Members also get access to the 116-branch network across seven states, 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs through Allpoint, 5,600+ CO-OP Shared Branch credit union locations nationwide, online banking, the AFCU mobile app with mobile check deposit and Card Guard, Zelle person-to-person transfers, Bill Pay, and 24/7 phone support at 1-800-999-3961. NCUA federal insurance covers deposits up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category.

Membership at a glance

Membership for out-of-state family

An AFCU member who moves outside the seven-state footprint stays a member. Likewise, family members of existing AFCU members anywhere in the United States qualify through the family eligibility rule. This is a common path for adult children of retired AFCU members in Florida or Texas, grandchildren of charter members, and spouses of military personnel stationed at Hill Air Force Base or other Utah installations.

The family eligibility application asks for the existing member's full name and member number. The new applicant goes through the same identity verification but does not need to demonstrate geographic eligibility. Once approved, the new family member has the same access to products, ATMs, shared branching, and online banking as a member living in the AFCU footprint.

Joining online vs at a branch

The online application at americafirst.com is the fastest option for most applicants. Identity verification uses a combination of database checks, knowledge-based questions, and (for some applicants) document upload. Funding the opening deposit uses a debit card or ACH transfer from another bank. The member number issues at the end of the application and online banking enrollment can begin immediately.

In-branch applications take a similar amount of time but offer the advantage of cash funding (no ACH wait), instant debit card issuance at branches with on-site card printers, and the ability to ask questions in person about product choices. Branches also handle membership applications for minors (youth accounts), trust accounts, joint accounts with two new members, and business memberships — all of which are harder to complete fully online.

Membership categories & how to join

Overview & Key Features

America First Credit Union membership is open to a wide community across seven western states plus family of any existing member. The 6th largest US credit union — $23.3 billion in assets and 1.5 million members — uses a $1 opening deposit to establish membership share. Members get access to 116 branches, 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs, full deposit and loan products, and 24/7 support.

• Geographic Eligibility: Live, work, worship, or attend school in qualifying counties of UT/NV/AZ/ID/NM/CA/OR
• Family Eligibility: Immediate family of any existing AFCU member, anywhere in the US
• Employer Eligibility: Employees of AFCU partner organizations (military, schools, hospitals, government)
• Opening Deposit: $1 in Regular Savings account establishes membership share
• Documents Needed: Photo ID, SSN/ITIN, proof of address
• Application Time: ~10 minutes online or in branch
• Federal Insurance: NCUA insured up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category
• Branches: 116 locations across 7 states, headquartered in Riverdale, Utah

People also ask about AFCU membership

Is there an age requirement to join AFCU?

Adults 18 and older can open membership independently. Minors join as joint accountholders with a parent or guardian who is also an AFCU member. AFCU offers dedicated Youth Savings accounts designed to teach financial habits to members under 18.

Does AFCU run a credit check to open a basic membership?

Opening a basic Regular Savings membership does not require a credit check. AFCU runs identity verification through ChexSystems and credit bureaus only when the application includes products that involve credit risk — credit cards, loans, or overdraft lines.

Can I open a joint account when I join?

Yes. Joint applications add a second member to the same primary account at the time of opening. Both joint members need to provide ID, Social Security number, and signature. The joint member becomes an AFCU member through the joint relationship and can also open additional individual accounts.

What if I move out of the seven-state area later?

Membership continues for as long as you maintain a positive $1 balance in your Regular Savings account. AFCU does not require members to live in the original eligibility area indefinitely. Many members keep AFCU accounts after relocating to other states by using shared branching and the mobile app.