Membership FAQs

General

  • Your membership ID is on your membership card. Feel free to contact mbr@jacl.org if you need it and we will happily share it with you.

    Note: while helpful, your ID is not required to renew your membership. If you just joined and need your ID for a national scholarship, please attach a receipt to your application and that will suffice (see directions for details).

  • Please email mbr@jacl.org and we will update your record.

  • Memberships take our teams some time to process. Please expect to receive your card approximately 3-6 weeks after payment (may be longer if paid by mail). If it’s been more than 3-6 weeks or if you have any concerns, please reach out to mbr@jacl.org.

  • If you have a couple/family and/or spouse membership, one other family member can receive our emails (including the Pacific Citizen!). Please email mbr@jacl.org to be added.

  • Applicants must hold an Individual or Student/Youth Membership. A Couple/Family membership by a parent will not meet this requirement. Click here to join or renew your membership.

  • Anyone is welcome to be a JACL member, regardless of race or ethnicity! Our membership is growing in diversity, with more mixed Japanese/Japanese American folks and folks of different ethnicities than ever before. Our members are also worldwide - we have a chapter in Japan and members in Canada, Europe, and beyond!

  • Please check out our benefits page. To visit JANM (Japanese American National Museum) for free, please show them your membership card or email receipt at the entrance.

Renewing

  • If you renew early, we will add a year of membership to your current renewal date. For example, if your membership renewal date is 12/31/2024 and you renew a couple months early in October, your new renewal date will become 12/31/2025. Click here to renew your membership.

  • Your renewal date can be found on your membership card or in renewal emails. Please write mbr@jacl.org if you are unsure.

  • Our teams take a few days to process memberships, especially for mail payments. Rest assured we are likely processing your membership and will update our records as soon as we can! If you are concerned, please contact us at mbr@jacl.org.

  • If we don’t receive your renewal online, we will automatically mail a paper renewal in the coming weeks.

Chapters

  • 1) Get connected to your local chapter! See our chapter page for their websites, social media, and/or contact information. If you’re unsure which chapter to choose, feel free to reach out to mbr@jacl.org and we’ll connect you to chapter that best fits you!

    2) If you are a student/youth member, you can also get involved with the NY/SC (National Youth/Student Council) or YPC (Young Professionals Caucus)! The NY/SC is generally for youth and students 25 and under, and the YPC is generally for young professionals over 25.

    NY/SC:

    [Website] [Instagram]

    YPC:

    [Discord] [Instagram] [Facebook Group] [Podcast]

    Email: ypc@jacl.org

  • Don’t see a chapter near you? Join as a National Associate!

    Nationally, we have virtual programs and activities for anyone, anywhere, and opportunities to travel! Other benefits include access to exclusive events, eligibility for scholarships and programs, and the Pacific Citizen (our newspaper). Most importantly, your membership supports our ongoing mission for social justice, community, education, and youth!

  • When you become a member, you’ll be asked to choose a chapter. If there isn’t one near you, you may select “National Associates”.

  • Moving? Found a chapter that better suits you? Reach out to mbr@jacl.org and we’ll gladly update your membership!

Pacific Citizen (PC) Newspaper

  • A few common reasons for not getting the print PC include:

    • Your membership lapsed. Only active members receive the print PC (and non-members who pay $50 annually). Renew your membership here.

    • We just got your renewal/membership. It takes our teams some time to process payments for the PC. Please expect to receive your first issue within approximately 4 weeks. Feel free to email mbr@jacl.org with any concerns.

    • Your address may be incorrect. Did you recently move or just join JACL? Please write us at mbr@jacl.org to make sure we have the right address on file for you.

  • A few common reasons for not getting the email PC include:

    • Your membership lapsed. Only active members receive the email PC (and non-members who pay $36 annually). Click here to renew your membership.

    • We just got your renewal/membership. It takes our departments some time to process payments for the PC. Please expect to receive your first issue within approximately 4 weeks. Feel free to email mbr@jacl.org with any concerns.

    • Your email is incorrect or accidentally unsubscribed. Please check with mbr@jacl.org to make sure we have the right email for you.

    • The PC email is in your spam or other folder. If this happened to you, please try adding pc@jacl.org to your email contacts.

Still have a question?

Feel free to reach out to us at mbr@jacl.org. You can also try our office Monday through Friday between 8:00AM and 4:00PM PT at (415) 921-5225 ext. 111.