Overview of the Charter Application Process

This Guide explains how to apply for a federal credit union charter with instructions on completing the required activities and forms associated with the three phases of the chartering process. This guide also provides links to examples and additional reference materials available on our website at NCUA.gov.

You should complete Phases 1 through 3 in the order listed, submitting the required documentation for each phase to NCUA for review and written feedback before proceeding to the next phase. For each phase, NCUA will review all documentation submitted and will let the organizing group know when to proceed to the next phase.

The charter application process consists of three phases:

• Phase 1: Establishing a Field of Membership

• Phase 2: Preparing the Charter Application

• Phase 3: Submitting the Application Forms for Final NCUA Approval

Follow the links above for an overview of each phase.

Last updated on March 30, 2026