How to Get a VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility
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The VA certificate of eligibility is a document that tells a lender you meet the military service or surviving spouse requirements to get a VA home loan.
You can start shopping for VA loans without a certificate of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs, but you’ll need one before the home loan can close.
» MORE: Learn about VA loan requirements
Requesting a certificate of eligibility
If you’re an eligible active-duty military member, veteran or National Guard or Reserve member, you can get a COE by:
Asking a VA-approved lender to obtain it for you.
Requesting the certificate through the VA.gov portal.
Downloading and completing a request for Certificate of Eligibility form and mailing it to a regional loan center.
The quickest way is often through a VA-approved lender. Most VA mortgage lenders have access to an internet-based application that can issue a certificate of eligibility on the spot if there’s sufficient information in the system's database.
That capability can simplify and expedite the process for many VA borrowers, says Kevin Parker, vice president of field mortgage originations at Navy Federal Credit Union.
» MORE: See the best VA mortgage lenders
Surviving spouses who are currently receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) can download a “request for determination of loan guarantee eligibility” form and take it to a lender for processing, according to the VA website. You will also need DD Form 214 discharge documents (if available).
Surviving spouses who aren't receiving DIC will need VA Form 21P-534EZ (application for DIC, death pension and accrued benefits), a copy of your marriage license and the veteran’s death certificate.
What you need to get a VA COE
In many cases, lenders can get the certificate of eligibility through the VA database simply by entering the borrower’s personal information.
But in some instances, a document, such as a copy of a veteran’s discharge or separation papers, is needed for verification, Parker says. In that case, a lender could send the required documents on the borrower’s behalf for the VA to process the request.
The documents you may need to show to get a certificate of eligibility depend on whether you’re a veteran, service member, current or discharged National Guard or Reserve member. Here’s what the VA website says you need.
Documents needed to determine VA loan eligibility
Service status | Documents |
|---|---|
Veteran | DD Form 214 (discharge or separation papers). |
Service member | Statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant or personnel officer. |
Current or former activated National Guard or Reserve member | DD Form 214 (discharge or separation papers), an annual point statement or DD Form 220 with accompanying orders. |
Current National Guard or Reserve member who has never been activated | Statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant or personnel officer. |
Discharged National Guard member who was never activated | NGB Form 22 (report of separation and service record) for each service period and NGB Form 23 (annual retirement points statement and proof of character of service). |
Discharged Reserve member who was never activated | Your most recent annual retirement points statement and proof of honorable service. |
Surviving spouse of a service member who died on active duty or had a service-connected disability | If you’re receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): DD Form 214 discharge documents (if available) and VA Form 26-1817 (request for determination of loan guarantee eligibility — unmarried surviving spouses). If you’re not receiving DIC: VA Form 21P-534EZ (application for DIC, death pension and accrued benefits), a copy of your marriage license and the veteran’s death certificate. |
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Entitlement and loan limits
You may see a line on your certificate of eligibility that says your entitlement is $36,000. This is because of VA rules that guarantee they will pay part of your loan balance back to the lender if you default. If your loan is under $144,000, the VA promises to pay the lender up to $36,000. If your loan is over $144,000, the VA will pay up to 25% of the loan amount. These numbers don’t have any bearing on your borrowing limit.
