FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A VA LOAN
Check Your Eligibility Now
VA home loan eligibility depends on your service history, duty status, length of service, and character of service. Eligible borrowers may include Veterans, active-duty service members, qualifying National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses. Our VA Mortgage Specialists can help you understand your eligibility and assist with your Certificate of Eligibility.
You don’t have to get your Certificate of Eligibility on your own. Veteran Mortgage Solutions can help you through the process.
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A VA LOAN
Check Your Eligibility Now
VA home loan eligibility depends on your service history, duty status, length of service, and character of service. Eligible borrowers may include Veterans, active-duty service members, qualifying National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses. Our VA Mortgage Specialists can help you understand your eligibility and assist with your Certificate of Eligibility.
You don’t have to get your Certificate of Eligibility on your own. Veteran Mortgage Solutions can help you through the process.
VA HOME LOAN ELIGIBILITY
Who Qualifies for a VA Home Loan?
Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or looking to lower your monthly payment, the first step is understanding whether you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements and your lender’s borrowing requirements.
Service Eligibility
Your service history, duty status, length of service, and character of service are used to determine whether you may qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility.
Certificate of Eligibility
A valid COE confirms to your lender that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit. You can request one yourself, or a lender may request it electronically for you.
Lender Review
VA-backed financing also requires you to meet applicable credit, income, occupancy, and other underwriting requirements from the VA and your lender.
MINIMUM SERVICE EXCEPTIONS
Didn’t Meet the Minimum Service Requirement? You May Still Qualify.
The VA may still issue a COE when a service member was discharged before meeting the standard minimum service requirement under certain qualifying exceptions.
What if my discharge was less than honorable?
If you received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge, you may not be eligible for VA benefits. You can still apply for a COE, and the VA will review your service records to determine whether you qualify.
Possible exceptions
Hardship
Convenience of the government, with at least 20 months served on a 2-year enlistment
Early out, with at least 21 months served on a 2-year enlistment
CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY
What Is a Certificate of Eligibility?
A Certificate of Eligibility, or COE, confirms for your lender that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit based on your service history and duty status.
You don’t necessarily have to request your COE on your own before contacting a lender.
Need Help With Your COE?
Veteran Mortgage Solutions can help you understand what documentation may be needed and assist with the COE request process.
GETTING YOUR COE
3 Ways to Request Your Certificate of Eligibility
1
Through a Lender
A participating VA lender may be able to request your COE electronically on your behalf.
2
Online Through VA.gov
You can request your COE directly through the VA’s online home loan tools.
3
By Mail
You can submit VA Form 26-1880 by mail. The VA notes that mail requests may take longer than online or lender requests.
You don’t have to handle the COE process alone. Talk with a VA Mortgage Specialist about the best next step for your situation.
DOCUMENTATION
Documents You May Need, Based on Your Service
The documentation needed for a COE depends on your military status and service history.
| Service type | Common documentation |
|---|---|
| Veteran | DD214 or other discharge or separation papers. |
| Active-duty service member | A signed statement of service showing required service information. |
| Current or former activated National Guard member | DD214 or other discharge documents. |
| Current or former activated Reserve member | A signed statement of service showing required service and creditable-years information. |
| Discharged National Guard member never activated | NGB Form 22 for each period of National Guard service, NGB Form 23, and proof of character of service. |
| Discharged Reserve member never activated | Your latest annual retirement points statement and proof of honorable service. |
SURVIVING SPOUSES
VA Loan Eligibility for Surviving Spouses
Certain surviving spouses may qualify for VA home loan benefits and will need a Certificate of Eligibility.
The COE application process depends in part on whether you receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC. If you receive DIC, the VA generally directs eligible surviving spouses to VA Form 26-1817 and the Veteran’s DD214 or other separation papers, if available. If you don’t receive DIC, the VA currently directs applicants to complete VA Form 21P-534EZ and provide supporting documents such as the Veteran’s separation papers, a marriage license, and the Veteran’s death certificate.
We Can Help You Understand the Next Step
Surviving-spouse eligibility can depend on the Veteran’s circumstances and your current status. Speak with a VA Mortgage Specialist for help navigating the mortgage side of the process.
MORTGAGE APPROVAL
Beyond Eligibility: What Lenders Look For
A COE confirms that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit. Your lender still reviews your financial information and decides whether to approve the mortgage.
Income
Your lender reviews whether your income is sufficient and reliable for the requested mortgage.
Debt
Your existing obligations are reviewed along with your income and proposed housing expense.
Credit
The VA does not require a minimum credit score, but individual lenders may set their own credit standards.
Residual Income
Residual income is the net income remaining after debts, obligations, and monthly shelter expenses to cover family living expenses.
Think You May Qualify?
You don’t need to know every VA guideline or have every document ready before getting started.
Tell us about your military service and home financing goals. A Veteran Mortgage Solutions specialist can help determine the next step.
QUESTIONS
Veteran Eligibility Verification FAQs
Who is eligible for a VA loan?
VA home loan eligibility is based on your service history, duty status, length of service, and character of service. Eligible borrowers may include Veterans, active-duty service members, qualifying National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses. You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility to show that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit, and you must also meet applicable lender credit, income, and occupancy requirements.
Do I need my Certificate of Eligibility before I apply for a VA loan?
You need a COE to show that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit, but you don’t necessarily have to obtain it on your own before contacting a lender. You can request your COE online through VA.gov, or your lender may be able to request it electronically for you.
How long does it take to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
Some COEs can be issued electronically very quickly when the VA already has enough information in its records. If additional service documentation or VA review is required, the process can take longer. Requests submitted by mail may also take longer than online or lender requests.
Can I get a VA loan with a less-than-honorable discharge?
Possibly. If you received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge, you may not be eligible for VA benefits. You can still apply for a COE, and the VA will review your service records to determine whether you qualify. In some situations, you may also be able to apply for a discharge upgrade or request a VA Character of Discharge review.
Is there a minimum credit score for a VA loan?
The VA does not require a minimum credit score for a VA-guaranteed home loan. Individual lenders may establish their own credit requirements and use your credit history and credit score when evaluating your loan application.
What is residual income?
Residual income is the net income remaining after debts, obligations, and monthly shelter expenses. VA underwriting uses residual-income guidelines to help evaluate whether enough income remains to cover normal family living expenses. It is considered together with other credit factors.
Can a surviving spouse use VA loan benefits?
Yes, certain surviving spouses may qualify for VA home loan benefits. A surviving spouse will need a COE, and eligibility depends on the Veteran’s circumstances and the surviving spouse’s status. The application process also differs depending on whether the surviving spouse receives Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Ready to Explore Your VA Loan Options?
Whether you are buying, refinancing or simply trying to understand what your VA benefit may allow you to do, you do not have to figure it out alone.
Talk with a Veteran Mortgage Solutions loan specialist and get clear answers about your options.
Serving Veterans and military families from coast to coast, where licensed.
