{"id":2187,"date":"2022-03-17T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.veteransloans.com\/?p=2187"},"modified":"2025-12-19T09:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T15:48:08","slug":"how-to-get-a-certificate-of-eligibility-for-va-loan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veteransloans.com\/resources\/how-to-get-a-certificate-of-eligibility-for-va-loan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a VA Certificate of Eligibility"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”http:\/\/173.255.228.252\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/How-to-Qualify-for-a-VA-Loan-Background-scaled.jpg” min_height=”252px” height=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Poppins|700||on|||||” title_text_align=”center” meta_font=”Poppins||||||||” meta_text_align=”center” background_color=”#FFFFFF” text_orientation=”center” height=”100px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”100px|15px|100px|15px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

A VA Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs is necessary to be approved for a VA home loan<\/a>. A COE essentially demonstrates to your lender that you meet all of the VA\u2019s qualifications based on your service history and duty status.<\/p>\n

A Certificate of Eligibility does not necessarily mean you meet all of the other requirements related to credit score, DTI, and residual income that are necessary to qualify for a VA loan, but it does mean that you meet the military service requirements.<\/p>\n

Collect the Information You Need<\/h2>\n

Before applying for a COE, you will want to make sure you have all the information you need<\/a> ready and available. Below is a table detailing the information you will need based on your status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Veteran<\/strong><\/td>\nCopy of Discharge or Separation Papers (DD214)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Service Member<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Full name<\/li>\n
  • Social Security number<\/li>\n
  • Date of birth<\/li>\n
  • Date you entered duty<\/li>\n
  • Duration of any lost time<\/li>\n
  • Name of the command providing the information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Current or Former Activated National Guard<\/strong><\/td>\n\n

Current or Former Activated National Guard member:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Copy of your DD214 or other discharge documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Current or former activated National Guard member with at least 90 days of active-duty service including at least 30 consecutive days provide a copy of one of the following:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • DD214 showing 32 USC sections 316, 502, 503, 504, 505 activation<\/li>\n
    • An annual point statement<\/li>\n
    • DD220 with accompanying orders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Current member of the National Guard or Reserve who has never been activated<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant, or personnel officer showing the following information:<\/li>\n
  • Full name<\/li>\n
  • Social Security number<\/li>\n
  • Date of birth<\/li>\n
  • Date you entered duty<\/li>\n
  • Total number of creditable years of service<\/li>\n
  • Duration of any lost time<\/li>\n
  • Name of the command providing the information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Discharged member of the National Guard who was never activated<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Report of Separation and Record of Service (NGB Form 22) for each period of National Guard service<\/li>\n
  • Retirement Points Statement (NGB Form 23) and proof of the character of service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Discharged member of the Reserve who was never activated<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Copy of your latest annual retirement points<\/li>\n
  • Proof of your honorable service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Surviving spouse of a Veteran who died in active duty or who had a service-connected disability<\/strong><\/td>\n\n