VA Certificate of Eligibility

You can obtain a VA loan by presenting a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which attests that you have the necessary service history. Your VA COE also includes details on your eligibility for a loan, your entitlement code, and whether you satisfy the requirements to avoid paying the VA financing fee.

A COE is not necessary to begin the VA process, but before you can close on your mortgage, your VA lender will need access to one. You may learn more about the Certificate of Eligibility and how to obtain one by reading the sections below.

Key Takeaways

To get a VA loan, you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
A COE is not required to start the VA loan process.
Your lender can pull your COE, or you can access it by mail or through the eBenefits portal.

The VA loan application procedure is not complete without the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Your COE informs lenders of your eligibility for a VA loan, whether you have previously utilised a VA loan, and the current condition of any prior VA loans.

Although obtaining a COE is a stage in the VA loan process that must be completed, you are not obligated to do so before applying for a loan. Furthermore, since the majority of lenders have access to the VA’s WebLGY system, you might not even need to put in the effort to obtain it.

The most frequent inquiries we get about the Certificate of Eligibility are shown below. Reach out to us and ask any further questions you may have concerning your COE.

How do I get my Certificate of Eligibility?

There are three basic ways for veterans to get their Certificate of Eligibility (COE):

Ask Your VA Mortgage Lender

Through the VA’s online digital interface, the majority of VA lenders may obtain your COE. Through the Automated Certificate of Eligibility (ACE) system, your VA lender ought to have immediate access to your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). However, take in mind that if the VA’s database is incomplete, you might need to seek a COE.

Access it Online through the VA’s eBenefits Portal

You must first register or sign into your account on the eBenefits website in order to view your COE online. Once you’re in your account, choose “Apply” and then “Housing” from the dropdown menu that appears. You may access your COE by finding “Certificate of Eligibility” and clicking on it. To view your COE online, keep in mind that you’ll need an eBenefits Premium account.

Request the COE by Mail

Fill out a VA Form 22-1880 and send it to your VA Regional Loan Center address. If you’re getting your VA loan Certificate of Eligibility by mail, keep in mind it can take four to six weeks to arrive.

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Who Qualifies for the VA Certificate of Eligibility?

You must fulfil the following criteria for military service in order to be eligible for a COE:

Active Duty Service Members

Once you’ve been on active duty for 90 days as a current military member, you become qualified for a COE.

Veterans

If you served for 90 days during a war or for 181 continuous days during a peacetime, you qualify as a Veteran. These rules do not apply to you if you were released due to a disability that was sustained while service.

National Guard and Reserve Members

Following 90 days of active duty or six years of distinguished service, you are qualified for a COE. If you are mobilised by the governor of your state, you may also be eligible for 90 days of duty under Title 32 as long as the 30 days of service were continuous.

Surviving Spouses

You can also be qualified for a COE if your spouse passed away while serving their country or developed a handicap while doing so. If you do not get Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC), you must submit your application using a VA Form 21P-534EZ. If you do, you must submit a VA Form 26-1817. Many times, surviving spouses who remarry are ineligible for a COE.

Native American Direct Loan (NADL)

Native American Veterans who reside on federal property may be qualified for a mortgage under the NADL programme. To earn your COE, you must still fulfill one of the aforementioned service conditions.

Can I Get a COE with Other than an Honorable Discharge?

A discharge status of honourable (HON), under honourable conditions (UHC), or general (GEN) is generally acceptable for receiving a Certificate of Eligibility. A VA loan is typically not available to those whose discharges were classified as dishonourable, poor conduct, or other than honourable (OTH).

However, even if you received an ineligible discharge, you can still be eligible. There are two methods to do this:

You might start by requesting a discharge improvement. Veterans can request an upgrade from their military branch if they feel their discharge was unfair or erroneous. When a veteran is dismissed due to traumatic brain injuries, mental health issues, or harassment, this is frequently the case.

You can also submit an application for a Character of Discharge review. Even if you are unable to improve your discharge, you may still appeal to the VA for further status review. This frequently entails drafting a letter to the VA, outlining the circumstance from your point of view and supplying supporting documentation.

You can use the assistance of your local VA lender if you require assistance with either procedure. They can assist you in finding the appropriate forms and compiling the necessary proof of support.

What Can I Do if I Lost My Discharge Papers?

You can ask the National Archives of the government for a copy of your discharge documents if you misplaced them. You can submit your request to the National Personnel Record Centre (NPRC) through mail or fax as well.

You may need to submit a Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge if you are unable to get your service records from the National Archives. You should be able to get lost or damaged paperwork with the aid of your VA lender.

VA Entitlement Codes on your COE

Your entitlement code, a two-digit number, indicates whether you qualify for a VA loan.

The majority of codes, such Code 01 (World War II) or Code 04 (Vietnam War), denote a time of duty. Only Code 05, “Entitlement Restored,” does not refer to a specific length of service. This indicates that you’ve previously utilised a VA loan and that your entitlement amount has been reinstated to you, frequently as a result of paying off the first VA loan.

From 1 to 11, entitlement codes are assigned to the following items:

Entitlement Code	Era
01	World War II
02	Korean War
03	Post-Korean War
04	Vietnam War
05	Entitlement Restored
06	Surviving Spouse
07	Spouse of POW/MIA
08	Post-World War II
09	Post-Vietnam
10	Persian Gulf War
11	Selected Reserves

You can monitor the status of your financing fee at the top of your COE. If you are a surviving spouse, an active service member with a Purple Heart, a Veteran with a service-related disability, or one of these individuals, you are not required to pay the financing fee and your status should read “exempt.”

Does My Certificate of Eligibility Expire?

Your eligibility certificate doesn’t expire, therefore no. In spite of this, obtaining a new COE is frequently required when applying for a VA loan. The most current state of your loan entitlement and entitlement code will be requested by lenders.

How long does it take to get a Certificate of Eligibility?

It may take 4-6 weeks for your COE to arrive if you are applying for one via mail. Your VA lender can obtain your Certificate of Eligibility through the LGY hub of the VA, or you can get it directly through the eBenefits portal.

Does the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility guarantee approval of a VA loan?

No, a COE does not ensure that a VA lender would accept your application. You must submit an application to a lender and satisfy their credit and income standards in order to be accepted for a VA loan.

While each lender may have different criteria, many need a credit score of 620, a debt-to-income ratio of 41% or less, and at least two years of dependable income. Additionally, within 60 days of closing, the house you’re purchasing must become your principal residence. Finally, you must meet the minimal residual income standards for your region and family size.

Can a military spouse obtain a Certificate of Eligibility?

Yes, spouses of service members who are eligible for VA loan benefits may receive a COE. As a military spouse, you must submit VA Form 26-1817 and receive Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) in order to obtain a COE. Please submit the completed form to your local loan office when you’ve finished it. At the bottom of the form is the location of the regional VA loan office.

Use VA Form 21P-534EZ to apply if you are not currently receiving Dependency & Indemnity Compensation benefits, then proceed as described above.

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The Bottom Line on Getting Your Certificate of Eligibility

One of the initial steps a veteran will take on the road to homeownership is frequently obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility. Speak with your VA lender first if you need assistance accessing your Certificate of Eligibility. They can guide you through the process of requesting a COE online or by mail, even if they are unable to access your COE through the VA’s online portal.