How To Apply For Your Certificate Of Eligibility
Your COE confirms for your lender that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit.
Begin by gathering the information you’ll need to apply for your COE.
Documents Needed
Veteran
If you’re a Veteran, you’ll need a copy of your discharge or separation papers (DD214).
Service Member
If you’re an active-duty service member, you’ll need a statement of service which must be signed by your commander, adjutant, or personnel officer and includes the following information:
- Your full name
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- The date you entered duty
- The duration of any lost time
- The name of the command providing the information
Current of former activated National Guard or Reserve member
If you’re a current or former activated National Guard or Reserve member, you’ll need a copy of your discharge or separation papers (DD214).
Current member of National Guard or Reserves who has never been activated
If you’re a current member of the National Guard or Reserves, and have never been activated, you’ll need a statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant, or personnel officer and includes the following information:
- Your full name
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- The date you entered duty
- Your total number of creditable years of service
- The duration of any lost time
- The name of the command providing the information
Discharged member of National Guard who was never activated
If you’re a discharged member of the National Guard and were never activated, you’ll need:
- Your Report of Separation and Record of Service (NGB Form 22) for each period of National Guard service, and
- Your Retirement Points Statement (NGB Form 23) and proof of the character of service
Discharged member of the Reserves who was never activated
If you’re a discharged member of the Reserves and were never activated, you’ll need:
Surviving spouse of an Veteran who died on active duty or who had a service connected disability
If you’re a surviving spouse who qualifies for home loan benefits, you’ll need the Veteran’s discharge documents (DD214)—if available—and:
If you’re receiving Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC),you’ll need to fill out and send us a Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility—Unmarried Surviving Spouses (VA Form 26-1817).
Download VA Form 26-1817 (PDF)
Or
If you’re not receiving DIC benefits, you’ll need to send us all of these:
- A completed Application for DIC, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ),and
- A copy of your marriage license, and
- The Veteran’s death certificate
3 Ways to Apply For Your COE
A COE Doesn't Guarantee Approval
Please note that having a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) doesn’t guarantee a VA loan approval.
Your COE shows the lender you’re eligible for a VA loan, but no one is “guaranteed” VA loan approval.
You must still qualify for the loan based on VA mortgage guidelines. The “guarantee” part of the VA loan refers to the VA’s promise to the lender of repayment if the borrower defaults.
Last updated September 23, 2020