General: General membership is open to established professionals engaged in forensic document examination. Methods and procedures of conducting an examination must be limited to scientific and forensic procedures generally recognized as acceptable means to evaluate evidence. Admittance testing is required. Dues are $175.00 per year.

Applicants are required to pass a written examination covering principles of handwriting identification, typewriting, ink and paper comparison, laboratory procedures, document photography, court procedures, legal terminology and other aspects of document examination. Complete three practical examinations with written opinions applying standard document examination procedures.

Submit for committee evaluation: twelve case opinions with worksheets, or three complete case files including court-type exhibits.

Certified: Certified membership is available to persons who have held general membership for a minimum of one year, and, in addition, completed either the AFDE Certification Program or BFDE Certification Program. Dues are $175.00 per year.

Associate: Associate membership is open to persons studying and preparing for a career in forensic document examination, or a person engaged in the practice of document examination. Admittance testing is required. Dues are $175.00 per year.

Applicants are required to pass a written examination that includes questions on obtaining appropriate handwriting exemplars, preservation of document evidence, general questions on handwriting examination, and the limitations of document examination.

International: International membership is open to: (a) practicing document examiners who do not hold U. S. citizenship and are not employed in the United States; (b) practicing document examiners who do not hold U. S. citizenship, but are employed in one of its territories; (c) practicing document examiners who hold U. S. citizenship, but reside in Puerto Rico. Dues are $75.00 per year.

Affiliate: Affiliate membership is available to persons engaged in a related scientific field or having a special interest in document examination. Additional requirements may apply. Dues are $75.00 per year

Candidates for General, Associate and International Membership in the AFDE shall:

• Have earned at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• In lieu of a degree, professional experience shall be considered, based on the candidate completing the Academic Equivalency Program. Information on this program may be obtained from the Association. Completion of the program within the first year of membership is mandatory.
• Provide two letters of recommendation from a list of specified professionals familiar with the candidates abilities and reputation.
• Sign the AFDE Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of Ethics.
• Be of good moral character.

There are additional requirements in each category.

If you qualify in any of the above categories and would like information on membership, please send a request on your letterhead, stating the category of inquiry and your resume to: AFDE Membership Director, 214 Des Plaines, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60194. The Membership Director will not reply to letters concerning other issues.