How to Join SAG-AFTRA: 3 Ways to Get In

3 Ways to Qualify for SAG-AFTRA Membership

There are three ways to become eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership. These apply regardless of where you live in the United States.

1. Get hired as a principal performer in a SAG-AFTRA signatory production. Proof of employment must be in the form of a signed contract or original pay stubs. This is the least likely path for most beginners.
2. Transfer from an affiliated union. Performers may join SAG-AFTRA if they are a paid-up member of an affiliated performers’ union (AFTRA, AEA, AGVA, AGMA, or ACTRA) for at least one year, and have worked at least once as a principal performer under that union’s jurisdiction.
3. Work as a SAG-AFTRA background performer for three days. Get hired as a SAG-AFTRA extra (background performer) for three days on a SAG-AFTRA signatory production. This is the most common path for most people starting out.

For Option 3, see our article on how to get a job as an extra performer — it walks through the full registration and booking process.

Initiation Fees & Dues

To join SAG-AFTRA, a performer pays an initiation fee plus the first semi-annual installment of basic dues. Dues are based on a sliding scale: a base amount plus a percentage of covered earnings. Fees vary slightly by branch area — rates outside Hollywood may be lower, but if you later work in a higher-fee branch, you pay the difference.

SAG-AFTRA also offers an initiation fee loan program through the AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union for performers who qualify. Contact SAG-AFTRA directly for details.

Legitimacy of Your Application

SAG-AFTRA will fully investigate your application and proof of employment. Your application will be denied if you have falsified credentials or if your qualifying employment is not bona fide. The Guild is the sole arbiter in determining whether your employer was legitimate and whether the work was genuine production work. False representation can result in denial, fines, suspension, or expulsion.

Making an Appointment to Join

If you believe you are eligible, contact your nearest SAG-AFTRA office before coming in to confirm the amount of your joining fee and schedule an appointment with the New Membership Department. Find your local office at sagaftra.org/find-local-office.

Submitting Proof of SAG-AFTRA Eligibility

If your eligibility file is not on record or is incomplete, you may submit one of the following documents as proof:

• Original paycheck stubs from the qualifying production
• Original activity print-out or report from the payroll company, stating your name, Social Security number, the production company name, production title, salary paid, and specific date(s) worked. The payroll company must submit this document directly to the SAG-AFTRA Membership Services Department.

Include a separate sheet with your name, current address, phone number, and date of birth, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope so your documents can be returned. Once verification is complete, you will receive a letter of eligibility from SAG-AFTRA.