Membership FAQs

What are the benefits of becoming a member of the Royal British Legion?

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is the UK's leading Armed Forces charity with approximately 180,000 members. The benefits of being a member include:

• Copies of the Royal British Legion magazine which keeps you up to date with news about our work around the UK and abroad.
• Membership e-newsletters to find out the latest updates from the RBL.
• Exclusive membership discount code for the Poppy Shop.
• Priority access to tickets for the Festival of Remembrance.
• Participation in ceremonial events, e.g. by becoming a Standard Bearer.
• The opportunity to get actively involved in the local community by organising events or joining the Branch Community Support Scheme, which directly looks after the needs of our beneficiaries.
• The opportunity to build your skills and CV by taking up one of the committee roles at branch, county, or national level.
• The ability to vote on the way the Legion evolves and continues to support the Armed Forces community.
• Getting involved in one of the Legion's music bands.
• The knowledge that through your membership you are helping others in need.

• An annual membership card.

  Read more about the history of the Royal British Legion here.

I have never served in the Armed Forces; can I still be a member?

Yes. Membership is open to everyone; you don't have to be a serving or ex-Service person. If you have an interest in the work of the Legion and want to help and support those who have served and their dependants, come and join us. We welcome people of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not.

How do I become a member?

There are three main ways to become a Member of the Royal British Legion. Please note that every member must be affiliated to a Local or National branch.

Online

You can sign up to become a member by applying online via the Membership Self-Service Portal.:  

Telephone:

If you wish to become a member and would like to sign up over the phone, call the Membership Team on:

Telephone UK (free): 0800 307 7773

Overseas (full rates apply): +44 (0)207 191 1091

Monday to Sunday 8am - 8pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Paper application:

If you would like to become a member of the Royal British Legion using a paper application, you can contact or your local branch to request one. You will then need to complete the form and post it to:

The Royal British Legion

RBL Membership Applications and Payments

TRBL PO Box 1710

NORTHAMPTON

NN2 1LP

Please note that to join we require your unique email address and date of birth.

If you require assistance signing up, you can access support by contacting our Membership Team (please see below for contact details).

You can also ask your branch for assistance with processing your payment.

Do I need to join a RBL Branch to be a member?

Yes, you will need to be affiliated with a branch when you join.

There are approximately 2,500 Royal British Legion branches across the UK and overseas. They are focal points for social activity, Remembrance and support the Armed Forces community in all kinds of ways. In local communities they play a vital role in helping hard-to-reach individuals and tackling problems like loneliness and isolation. Every member must be affiliated to a Local or National branch. You can find your branch contact details here:

Find your local RBL branch.

Find your local overseas RBL branch.

Learn more about National RBL branches.

Why does my branch not appear on the RBL website?

To have your branch listed on the RBL website, you need to establish a branch webpage. Each branch is required to appoint a webmaster who will be responsible for managing this webpage. To set up your branch webpage, please forward the details of your appointed webmaster to your MEO.  We will then grant them access to our web systems and provide guidance on how to create and manage the page.

How much does membership cost?

Currently, the annual fee is £18 (plus the branch joining/admin fee, if applicable).

The annual fee will increase to £20 from September 2024. Find out more about the increase here.

Please note: our payment processing provider is Charles Novacroft and this may appear on your statement.

Are all Branch fees the same?

No. As branches are based in different locations, conduct different activities and differ in size, branches set their own Branch fees depending on their needs. Branch fees range from £0-30 but are on average no more than £5.

Can I join more than one branch?

Yes, an RBL member can join and belong to, up to four branches at once. You will need to pay admin fees for each branch you join, but you will only pay one membership fee.

What are the categories of branch membership?

There are four categories of branch membership as governed by The Royal Charter. They are as follows:

Full Member: Full membership is available for anyone who has paid to join; there is no distinction between service, ex-Service, or non-service.

Youth Member: Youth membership is free for anyone aged 12-18 years old. To join a completed paper application is required with consent from a parent or guardian.

The benefits of becoming a youth member include:

• showing your support for the Armed Forces community
• taking part in youth parades
• training to be a Youth Standard Bearer and taking part in the National Youth Standard Bearer competition
• the chance to hold the position of National Youth Standard Bearer (if you win the competition) and attend events such as the Festival of Remembrance, and
• the chance to join a Legion band or become a majorette.

Life Member: Life Members are those whose services to the Legion, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, merit this honour and are awarded it. They will have given at least 10 years of meritorious and conspicuous service to the objective of the Legion, as defined by the Royal Charter. A member who is awarded the National Life Membership remains a member of the Royal British Legion without having to pay a membership fee for the rest of their life. Please contact your local branch to find out more.

Recipients will receive:

• a certificate
• a Life Membership card
• a Badge

Centenarian Member: Centenarian membership is free for anyone existing member over 100 years of age.

If you're a serving member of the UK Armed Forces, regular or reserve, you can register to our Military Membership mailing list for free.

As a Military member you'll receive regular emails with great news stories, offers and information. Please be aware that this is a digital membership and does not have the benefits of a Branch Membership, so you will not be able to book tickets for the Festival of Remembrance in the exclusive member sale. To be able to buy tickets in the exclusive member sale, please join our Branch Membership.

How do I Gift Aid my membership?

Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows you to increase the value of your donation by 25p on every pound you give at no extra cost to you. Members are encouraged to Gift Aid their membership fee when they join.

You can add or remove a Gift Aid declaration at any time via the Membership Self-Service Portal.

Alternately, you can email Membership Services: [email protected].

When will I receive my Membership card?

Once we receive your payment and it has cleared, we'll post your membership card (and welcome pack for new members) to your address. Your card will be valid for a full year from the date of joining. It should arrive within ten working days from the moment the payment is cleared. If you have not received your membership card as expected, please check you bank details to ensure payment was taken.

How do I update or amend my personal details?

You can utilise the Membership Self-Service Portal to manage your membership. The Portal is available 24/7 and can be used to:

• Update your postal address, email address or phone number.
• Amend your contact preferences.
• Transfer to another Branch.

Members can join up to four branches. If you would like to join more than one branch, email [email protected] or call the Membership Helpline:

Telephone UK (free): 0800 307 7773

Telephone overseas (full rates apply): +44 207 191 1091

Telephone Republic of Ireland (free): 1800 911 936

Monday to Sunday 8am - 8pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

You can register your Self-Service Portal web account here.

Why can I not access the Membership Self-Service Portal?

Lapsed members cannot access the Self-Service Portal. Please check your membership card to ensure your membership is in date.

Members are not automatically assigned a Self-Service Portal account; to check whether you have set up your account, please enter your email address into this link and press ‘Submit’.

If you have already registered, you will receive the message below:

If you have not yet registered, you will receive the message below:

You can register for a Self-Service account here.

 Why am I not receiving my Legion magazine?

Please check your mailing preferences via the Self-Service portal as a first step, to ensure you have unticked the two boxes below:   

Why am I not receiving my monthly Legion e-Newsletter?

Please check your mailing preferences via the Self-Service portal as a first step, to ensure you have ticked the box below:  

How do I request a replacement member membership card?

To request a replacement membership card, email [email protected] or call the Membership Helpline:

Telephone UK (free): 0800 307 7773

Telephone overseas (full rates apply): +44 207 191 1091

Telephone Republic of Ireland (free): 1800 911 936

Monday to Sunday 8am - 8pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

To request a replacement membership card, you must provide your full name, and a membership number or postcode.

How do I get tickets for the Festival of Remembrance?

The RBL Festival of Remembrance 2024 will be held in the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday 9th November 2024 with performances at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets will go on sale to RBL members via See Tickets on 23rd July and 30th July for the evening and afternoon performances, respectively. The times tickets will be go on sale will be shared on the Festival of Remembrance webpage.

Tickets for this year’s Festival of Remembrance will once again only be available to purchase online through our ticket provider See Tickets. Please be aware that tickets will not be available to purchase over the phone. We communicate the ticketing date prior to sale to ensure anyone who does not have access to the internet can get in touch with a friend, family member or neighbour to assist when they go on sale.

Can I get tickets for the Festival of Remembrance without being a member?

Tickets are only available to RBL members in the first instance, only going on sale to the general public if they do not sell out. Please be advised, general public tickets have not been available for the last two years due to high demand from the RBL member community. For the best possible chance of securing tickets, we suggest becoming a member.

What is the difference between a Legion Branch and a Legion Club? 

RBL Branches are groups of members, whilst RBL Clubs are social clubs with a physical site where they run their business. Branches are an integral part of the RBL charity, but RBL Clubs are independently run businesses that need to apply to the RBL for a licence to use our name and logo. For any Club queries, please contact your local club and they will be able to assist.  If you do not have their contact details, please email [email protected].

How do I join a Legion Club?

Please note that Club membership is not included in your RBL membership.

If you would like to join a RBL Club, you must first become a RBL member and join a Legion branch (this is the condition of the club licence). Once you have received your membership card, contact the RBL Club(s) you wish to join. Club membership fees must be paid directly to the RBL Club, who will then provide you with a sticker for your membership card. If you have any queries or would like to find out more information about joining a Club, please email [email protected].

Why has my local Club closed? 

Clubs are independent businesses separate to the charity that use the Legion’s name under license, and therefore not managed by the Royal British Legion. While we recommend getting in touch with the local Club about any Club-related issues, if your local club is permanently closed, you can email our team on [email protected] who will do their best to assist.

Although the club may have closed, this does not affect the branch, so if you would like more details about the work of the Legion in your area, please contact your local branch.

Where can I purchase RBL membership items from?

The Poppy Shop is the Royal British Legion’s official online charity gift store. Through the Poppy shop, we sell our own branded merchandise and products from independent suppliers, donating all profits back to our charity.

Funds raised by our online Poppy Shop enable us to do our vital work supporting people in the Armed Forces community. By treating yourself or a loved one to one of our poppy-themed gifts or accessories, you're helping us to provide vital services and support, from expert guidance and advice, to recovery and rehabilitation.

You can shop for a variety of products including home and gifts, jewellery, clothing, membership items and more. All merchandise is available for purchase through the online Poppy Shop store.

In the lead-up to the Poppy Appeal, the Poppy Shop website experiences increased traffic due to strong demand for products. It’s always advisable to place your order well in advance of the Poppy Appeal to avoid disappointment.

The most convenient way to place an order is through the Poppy Shop website.

If you would like further information about RBL products or help with an order, get in touch by:

Telephone: 0300 123 9110 - Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm (excluding bank holidays)

Email: [email protected] for order enquiries

Email: [email protected] for general enquiries

How do I renew my membership?

Membership renewal letters are dispatched approximately six weeks before your membership expiry date. The letter will tell you how you can renew and pay.

You can renew your membership online through our self-service portal (please note that to open an online account we must have your email address and date of birth on the system). Alternatively, you can renew by phone:

Telephone UK (free from UK landlines and main mobile networks): 0800 307 7773

Telephone overseas (full rate): +44 (0)207 191 1091

Telephone Republic of Ireland (free): 1800 911 936

Lines are open Monday to Sunday 8am - 8pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Choose your preferred payment method from the list below:

Direct Debit: Set-up recurring payments by visiting our Self-Service Portal and follow the instructions on the page, or call the Membership Helpline. Direct Debit is the fastest and most secure way to pay for your membership every year.

Credit or debit card: Visit our Self-Service Portal and follow the instructions on the page or call the Membership Helpline to make a payment.

PayPal: Make a quick and secure online payment through our Self-Service Portal.

PayPoint: Take your renewal letter to your nearest PayPoint outlet, scan the barcode and complete your payment. Find your nearest PayPoint store at paypoint.com.

Cheque: Complete a cheque payable to the Royal British Legion for the total fee and send to the address listed on your renewal letter. Please include your membership number with the cheque.

Euro cheque: Complete a cheque payable to The Royal British Legion for the total fee and send to the address listed on your renewal letter. Please include your membership number with the cheque. Please allow 5 weeks for Euro cheques to be processed.

Overseas Bank Transfer: If making a bank transfer from outside the UK, please use the following including your membership number as the payment reference.

For payments in any currency excluding Euros, use our GBP Account (IBAN and BIC included for overseas payments that are not Euros):

IBAN: GB20NWBK60023573629774

BIC: NWBKGB2L

For payments in Euros, use our Euro Account:

IBAN: GB91NWBK60720170076359

Swift-Bic: NWBKGB2L

I am not happy with my membership. How do I make a complaint?

In the first instance, please contact the Membership Services team: [email protected]. We will investigate your complaint and will aim to get back to you within two working days.

How do I complain about a member or a branch?

Please email [email protected] and they provide you with the process to make a formal complaint.

How do I request information on someone who is a member of the Legion?

Please email our membership team at [email protected] or call 0800 307 7773 and they will be able to assist. Due to GDPR we cannot share individual member details without a formal request from a legal entity, such as the police.

The Membership FAQs above have not resolved my membership query

If you need to get in touch with our membership team, please contact us using the details below:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone UK (free from UK landlines and main mobile networks): 0800 307 7773

Telephone overseas (full rate): +44 (0)207 191 1091

Telephone Republic of Ireland (free): 1800 911 936

Monday to Sunday 8am - 8pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

How can veterans and their families get in contact to receive welfare support, including advice and grants?

Veterans’ Gateway supports veterans and their families to find the help they need. Connected to a network of Armed Forces organisations, they will make sure that you are quickly referred to those best placed to provide support, including the Royal British Legion.

Veterans’ Gateway also has an extensive range of self-help resources,  allowing veterans to search for help and advice independently on a range of issues such as housing, employment and finances.

If you’ve not found the answer to your query through our online Knowledge Base, please contact us using one of the options below:

Email: [email protected]

Live Chat: For an immediate response to your query, try our live chat service (Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm).

Telephone UK: For welfare and general enquiries, call our free helpline on 0808 802 8080 (calls free from Isle of Man). Lines are open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Telephone Overseas: For welfare and general enquiries: +44 (0)20 3376 8080 (calls charged at full rate).

Donations and Fundraising

For help with donations or fundraising, you can reach us via:

Phone: Call our Supporter Careline on 0345 845 1945

Email: [email protected].

Post: Freepost Plus RTZT-ATBH-RGBZ, The Royal British Legion, Bumpers Way, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6NG

What systems support branch / county officials?

The Membership Administration Portal (MAP), also known as Office 365 or Microsoft 365, has been designed to assist branch and county officials in running a branch or county. Users can access membership listings in their area, are given an official RBL email address, and can access various resources relevant to running and operating a branch or county.

How do I log into my Microsoft 365 / MAP account?

• Open a ‘Guest’ or ‘Private’ browsing window and go to the MAP system.
• Enter your username - e.g. [email protected] and click ‘Next’.
• Enter your password and click Sign In. Please note the ‘Can’t access your account?’ link is not in use. Please contact Your MEO and/or Membership Services [email protected] for password resets.

How do I reset my Microsoft 365 / MAP password?

For security reasons it is not possible for a user to reset an account password through the system. If this is your first-time logging into Microsoft 365 / MAP or you have reached the 90-day password expiry date, you will be asked to enter in a new password. Please remember you will need to know your current password to do this.

If your MEO or MEA has provided a temporary password, please enter this as the current password. A password reset can be requested via [email protected] , in which a temporary password will be provided to log into Microsoft 365 / MAP.

The system will then ask you to update your password. The temporary password will need to be entered as the current password along with your new password.

What is available on MAP?

The MAP homepage is the gateway to the different areas of Microsoft 365. Here you will have access to your emails, resources, membership news, County and Branch document libraries and the internal social network called Viva Engage (formerly Yammer).

Once you have logged in to MAP, there is a navigational bar at the top of the page which will take you to the different areas on MAP, as well as the four main large buttons on the page.

• County & Districts links: You will only be able to access your own county if your Microsoft 365 account has been given access. From the county page, you can access your branch page.
• Membership Resources: This will take you to the Membership Resources Area that contains all the Membership documentation, support guides and general information.
• Branch Community Support (BCS) portal: If your branch has registered with BCS and you have a BCS account, you will have access to the BCS portal and management system.
• Outlook online: This opens your RBL.Community email account. It will also have listed any Office 365 groups you are a member of e.g. CTO group.
• Viva Engage (formerly Yammer): A social networking online forum for branch officials to communicate with each other and the opportunity to collaborate on any area. There are groups made based on roles, interests and location with the chance to join any that if of interest to the branch official. Only users with an RBL Microsoft 365 account can access this.
• Documents and Resources: Access to the MAP documents library, membership system guides and data protection guidance.

Can I link my RBL.Community email account to my personal email account?

It is not possible to add an RBL.Community email account to a desktop email client. This is due to the licence that we have with Microsoft and the security risks that come with the type of connection that would be needed in their email client. It may be possible to use the official Outlook mobile app, but that can depend on several factors, such as the device being used.

Does RBL provide membership training?

Providing members with training is one of the ways the RBL improves its ability to support the Armed Forces community. Training helps to ensure compliance with legislation and the Charity Commission and preserve our good reputation.

Our membership training provides our members with the knowledge, skills, and support to fulfil their volunteer duties effectively and efficiently Training also supports Branch, County/District Officers and Committee members to carry out their responsibilities within RBL policies, charity procedures and rules.

How are training courses delivered?

Training is provided by either the Membership Training team or County Training Officers. Courses are delivered in a variety of ways, including: · Online via our learning management platform Discover

• Online via Microsoft Teams
• Face-to-face in person
• Some courses are delivered locally within the County or District by County/District Training Officers. These courses may also be face-to-face or delivered online via Microsoft Teams.

How can members apply for courses?

Individuals can apply to attend courses by speaking to their County/District Training Officer or Membership Engagement Officer (MEO), or by searching for a course on Discover.

For details of the courses or for support with signing up, please get in touch with your:

• County/District Training Officer (C/DTO)
• Membership Engagement Officer (MEO) Or you can contact the training team: L&[email protected].

Further FAQs for branch officials can be found on MAP.