How to Join America First Credit Union

America First Credit Union membership is open to residents of qualifying counties in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. Eligibility also extends to family members of existing AFCU members and to employees of select employer groups partnered with the credit union. New members open a primary share savings account with a $1 minimum deposit, which represents their ownership stake in the cooperative. AFCU is federally insured by the NCUA for up to $250,000 per depositor.

Who is eligible to join

AFCU has three eligibility paths, any one of which qualifies a person for membership. The first is geographic: living, working, attending school, or worshiping in a qualifying county within the seven-state footprint. The second is familial: any immediate family member or household member of an existing AFCU member can join, regardless of where they live. The third is employment-based: employees of organizations that participate in the AFCU Select Employer Group program qualify through their employer relationship.

The geographic path is the most common. AFCU’s field of membership covers the entire state of Utah and specified counties in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. The membership application asks for the applicant’s home or work address; eligibility is confirmed automatically when the application is submitted. Members who later move out of the field of membership keep their AFCU membership for life — the rule is “once a member, always a member.”

How to apply — online or in branch

1. Confirm eligibilityIdentify which path applies to you: residency, family, or employer. Most applicants qualify through residency in one of the seven states.
2. Gather your documentsHave your government photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport), Social Security Number or ITIN, current address, and a funding source for the $1 minimum deposit ready.
3. Apply online or in personVisit americafirst.com and follow the membership application, or walk into any of the 116 branches with the documents above. Online applications take about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Fund your share savings accountThe required share savings account opens with a $1 minimum deposit. Members can fund it with a debit card, an electronic transfer from another bank, or cash at a branch.
5. Activate online bankingOnce the account is open, set up an online banking sign-in at americafirst.com. The mobile app for iOS and Android uses the same credentials.

What to bring to a branch

If you choose to open your account in person at one of the 116 AFCU branches, bring a valid government-issued photo ID (US driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or permanent resident card), your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, proof of your current address (a utility bill or rental agreement works if your ID address is out of date), and at least $1 in cash or a debit card to fund the share savings account.

For joint accounts, both parties need to be present with the same documents. For accounts opened on behalf of a minor child, bring the child’s Social Security card and birth certificate in addition to your own identification. Members opening a business account need additional documentation such as a business license, articles of incorporation, or partnership agreement — the branch staff can provide the full list during the visit.

What membership includes

AFCU membership is the gateway to every other product the credit union offers. Once the share savings account is open, members can apply for checking accounts (including high-yield options), Visa credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, HELOCs, personal loans, and certificate (CD) accounts. Member-only digital services include the AFCU mobile app, online banking, Zelle, mobile check deposit, biometric sign-in, and FICO score monitoring. Members also receive access to financial education resources and Member Deals & Discounts, a perks program with offers from regional and national partners.

Because AFCU is member-owned rather than investor-owned, profits are returned to members in the form of higher savings rates, lower loan rates, and lower fees than a comparable for-profit bank typically offers. Member equity is represented by the share savings account; the deposit is not a fee but rather the member’s share in the cooperative.

NCUA insurance — how member deposits are protected

Every deposit account at AFCU is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent agency of the US government. NCUA insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category, identical in scope and backing to FDIC insurance at banks. The Share Insurance Fund that backs NCUA insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

For most members, the $250,000 limit per depositor per ownership category means that a single member with up to $250,000 in individually held accounts is fully covered. Members who hold joint accounts, retirement accounts (IRA share certificates), or trust accounts get separate $250,000 coverage limits in each ownership category, allowing total coverage well above $250,000 across a diversified set of accounts. The NCUA’s Share Insurance Estimator is the authoritative tool for calculating coverage on complex account structures.

Overview & Key Features

America First Credit Union is the 6th largest US credit union with $23.3 billion in assets, 1.5 million members, and 116 branches across seven states. Membership is open through three paths — residency in the seven-state footprint, family relationship with an existing member, or employment at a partner organization — and opens with a $1 minimum deposit into the required share savings account.

• Eligibility Paths: Residency in 7 states, family of existing member, or Select Employer Group
• States Served: Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California, Oregon
• Minimum Deposit: $1 to open the required share savings account
• NCUA Insurance: Federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category
• Application Methods: Online at americafirst.com or in person at any of 116 branches
• Required Documents: Government photo ID, Social Security Number or ITIN, current address
• Once a Member, Always a Member: Membership continues for life even if you move out of the field of membership
• Member Benefits: Access to all AFCU loans, accounts, mobile app, online banking, and partner discounts

People also ask about AFCU membership

Do I need to live in Utah to join AFCU?

No. Residency in any of the seven AFCU states qualifies — Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California, or Oregon. Eligibility is checked at the county level within those states. Family members of existing AFCU members can join from anywhere in the US, and Select Employer Group employees qualify through their employer relationship rather than residency.

What credit score is needed to join AFCU?

No credit score is required to become an AFCU member. The basic share savings account that establishes membership is opened with a $1 deposit and standard identity verification — credit history is not part of the membership decision. Credit checks apply only when a member later applies for a loan or credit card.

Can I open an AFCU account entirely online?

Yes. The membership application at americafirst.com walks new members through eligibility confirmation, identity verification, and the $1 funding step. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and does not require a branch visit. Online banking and the mobile app activate as soon as the account is funded.

How long does AFCU membership take to approve?

Standard online membership applications are typically approved within minutes when identity verification succeeds automatically. Applications that require manual review (mismatched address, joint account complexity, business membership) may take one to two business days. AFCU member services at 1-800-999-3961 can check the status of a pending application.

Is AFCU the same as American First Credit Union?

No. America First Credit Union (AFCU, Riverdale, Utah) is a different institution from American First Credit Union (a separate California-based credit union under amerfirst.org) and from America’s First Federal Credit Union (Alabama). Each has its own membership eligibility, products, and routing number. Verify which institution holds your account by checking the back of your debit card or your last statement.