You will need a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to apply for a VA Loan. Most veterans may not know that their VA lender may be able to pull an automated COE in just minutes for free. This will be a great help to you in the VA loan process, avoiding any confusion or delays in the process.
Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. The VA loan process is complex, and the COE is just one part. Let’s boil down the basics of what a VA home loan COE is, what is on it, who is eligible, and unlock the secrets to getting your COE in minutes.
What Is a VA Certificate of Eligibility?
A VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (VA Form 26-1880) is an official VA document that verifies that a veteran, service member, or eligible surviving spouse qualifies for a VA-backed home loan. Eligibility is based on meeting military service requirements, and lets the lender know that you are eligible for this benefit. We will cover eligibility requirements later in this article.
What Information Is on the COE?
Entitlement Code: The basis for your eligibility for VA home loan benefits (see the next section for what these codes mean).
VA Funding Fee: A payment required to secure your VA loan. The amount depends on loan type, if this is your first VA loan, and how much you are putting down. Funding fees range from 1.5% up to 3.3%. The fee applies to the loan amount, not the purchase price of your home. If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability, you are exempt from the funding fee.
Prior loans charged to entitlement: This section will show the amount of entitlements currently in use from previous VA home loans.
VA Entitlement Amount: This shows you the portion of your VA home loan benefit currently available. Your basic entitlement is $36,000 for a VA-backed mortgage up to $208,187, with no loan limit for full entitlement.
Conditions of the COE: This section spells out any requirements or stipulations related to your eligibility. Conditions related to your funding fee or links to additional state-related Veterans benefits.
Entitlement Codes Explained
We know that government paperwork is full of acronyms and codes that make understanding forms and processes difficult. The COE is no different. Basically, entitlement codes are one of 11 designations on your VA loan documents that tell the lender how you qualify for the VA loan.
|
Entitlement Code |
Era |
Service Dates |
Minimum Service Requirement |
|
01 |
World War II |
1940 – 1947 |
90 continuous days |
|
02 |
Korean War |
1950 –1955 |
90 days |
|
03 |
Post-Korean War |
1955 – 1964 |
181 days |
|
04 |
Vietnam War |
1964 – 1975 |
90 days |
|
05 |
Entitlement Restored |
Varies |
Based on prior VA loan usage |
|
06 |
Un-remarried Surviving Spouse |
N/A |
Veteran must have met service requirements |
|
07 |
Spouse of POW/MIA |
N/A |
Veteran must have met service requirements |
|
08 |
Post–World War II |
1947 – 1950 |
181 days |
|
09 |
Post-Vietnam (1st period) |
1975 – 1980 |
181 days |
|
09 |
Post-Vietnam (2nd period) |
1980 – 1990 |
2 years or full period; not less than 90 days (wartime) or 181 days (peacetime) |
|
10 |
Persian Gulf War |
1990 – present |
2 years or full period; not less than 90 days |
|
11 |
Selected Reserves |
6 years in the Reserves or National Guard |
6 years of honorable service |
Who Is Eligible for a VA COE?
Step one in getting a VA loan is to determine your eligibility, and just because you are a veteran or a service member, you don’t automatically qualify for a VA COE. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, you will need to meet certain qualifications.
- Service Member: If you are on active-duty and served for 90 uninterrupted days, you meet the minimum qualifications.
- Veterans: If you are a veteran, the rules are a bit more complex. Your length of service requirements can vary from 90 days to 24 months of consecutive service. How you were discharged is also a key factor. Check the VA’s conditions for COE eligibility.
- National Guard & Reserves: If you served in the National Guard or the Reserves, there are also some complex requirements to get your COE. If you served between August 2, 1990, and the present, you will need a minimum of 90 days of non-training active-duty service, or 6 creditable years of service in the Guard or Selected Reserve. For complete details, check the VA’s requirements to see if you are eligible for your VA COE.
- Surviving Spouses: If you are a surviving spouse, you may also be eligible for a VA COE. If you are currently getting VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as a result of a deceased service member or the spouse of an active duty service member who is MIA or a POW, you may request a COE.
Three Ways to Get Your COE
Option 1: Online
You can request a COE online through the VA. You will need a verified account on VA.gov to request your COE online. You can check the status of your request on the VA.gov website.
Pro Tip: If the VA has all the information they need, you may be able to get a COE automatically.
Option 2: Through your lender
Ask your lender if they have access to Web LGY, an online system they can use to get your COE. If the VA has all they need, you can have your COE in minutes.
Option 3: By mail
You will need to fill out a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880) and send it to your regional loan center (found on the last page of the VA form). Just know that mail requests take longer (up to 30 days) than requesting a COE online or through your lender.
Documents You Need to Start Your COE Request
-
Service Member: If you are on active-duty, you will need a signed statement of service showing your
- full name
- Social Security number
- date of birth
- date entered duty
- duration of any lost time
- name of the command providing the information
- Veterans: If you are a veteran, you will need a copy of your DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
- National Guard: It depends on whether you were activated and the length of service:
- Current or former activated member: You will need a copy of your DD214. If you have at least 90 days of active-duty service (including at least 30 consecutive days), you will need either your DD214, annual point statement, or your DD Form 220 (Active Duty Report).
-
Current member and never activated: You will need a signed statement of service showing your:
- full name
- Social Security number
- date of birth
- date entered duty
- total number of creditable years of service
- duration of any lost time
- name of the command providing the information
- Discharged members and were never activated: You will need both your NGB Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) and NGB Form 23 (Retirement Points Statement).
- Reserves: Again, it depends on whether you have been activated or not:
- Current or former activated member: You will need a copy of your DD214.
-
Current member and never activated: You will need a signed statement of service showing your:
- full name
- Social Security number
- date of birth
- date entered duty
- total number of creditable years of service
- duration of any lost time
- name of the command providing the information
- Discharged member and were never activated: You will need a copy of your latest annual retirement points, and proof of honorable service.
- Surviving Spouse: If you are a surviving spouse who qualifies for VA home loan benefits, you will need the veteran’s DD214. If you are receiving DIC, you will need to send in VA Form 26-1817 (Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility for Unmarried Surviving Spouses)
What Do You Do if Your COE was Denied or Delayed?
Understanding how the VA loan process works is key to navigating the loan process. But sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as expected, and your COE may be delayed or denied. If that happens, you can request reconsideration by submitting additional documents to show that you meet the requirements. You can also appeal the VA’s decision and request a decision review.
Option 1: If you have new evidence. File a Supplemental claim by filling out VA Form 20-0995 or filing online.
Option 2: If you think there is an error in your case, request a Higher-Level Review by filling out VA Form 20-0996 or requesting a review online.
Option 3: If you want, you can have your case reviewed by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Do You Need the COE Before Applying?
No, you don’t need the COE before starting the VA loan application process, but you will need it to close the loan. You can also get pre-qualified without the VA COE.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take to get a COE?
If you have all of the information the VA needs, you may get a COE automatically online. If you work with your VA lender, you can also get a COE in a matter of minutes.
Q: Is the COE free?
Yes! Your COE is free of charge from the VA.
Q: Can I get a COE without a DD214?
Yes, if you are on active duty, you will not have a DD214. Instead, you will provide the lender with a statement of service. If you are a member of the National Guard or Reserves, check out the section above on documents needed to get your COE.
If you are a veteran and were issued a DD214 when released from military service, it is expected to be produced to be approved for a VA home loan. If you have lost or can’t locate your DD214, you can get a replacement through the milConnect online portal.
Q: Can I have more than one VA loan at a time?
Yes, under certain circumstances. For example, if you are selling your current home purchased with a VA loan, and buying a new one with a new VA loan; or refinancing an existing VA loan to a new VA loan; or renting your current how bought with a VA loan and buying a new one with a new VA loan; or buying a new home with a new VA loan after defaulting on a previous VA loan.
Pro Tip: To answer these and all of your questions, be sure to read our Complete Guide to VA Home Loans for 2026.
Q: Does my COE expire?
No. Your VA COE never expires. The only exception is if you obtained your COE while on active duty. You would need to obtain a new COE after you have been discharged.
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