{"id":2600,"date":"2022-04-28T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T13:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.veteransloans.com\/?p=2600"},"modified":"2026-03-06T11:44:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T17:44:01","slug":"dd214-form-and-why-you-need-it-for-a-va-loan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veteransloans.com\/resources\/dd214-form-and-why-you-need-it-for-a-va-loan\/","title":{"rendered":"DD Form 214 and Why You Need it For a VA Loan"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”65px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font_size=”18px” header_2_text_color=”#006276″ header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_text_color=”#0072ac” header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_text_color=”#00967a” header_4_font_size=”22px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

The DD Form 214 or \u201cDD 214\u201d is a veteran\u2019s Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. This document is issued by the United States Department of Defense and is distributed upon retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n

Why Do I Need a DD214 to Apply For a VA Loan?<\/h2>\n

If you are a qualifying veteran, service member, or surviving spouse applying for a VA loan, you will need your DD214 in order to retrieve a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)<\/a>. A COE verifies that you do, in fact, qualify for a VA loan. Or, if you are using your remaining VA loan entitlement, your COE will inform you and your lender how much entitlement you have already used.<\/p>\n

Where Can I Get My DD214?<\/h2>\n

You are typically given your DD214 papers when you retire, are separated, or are discharged from active military duty. If you have lost your DD214 form, there are a couple of different ways you can retrieve it.<\/p>\n

Get Your DD214 Online<\/h4>\n

You can get your DD214 online through milConnect<\/a>. You will need to register a new account on milConnect or log in using your credentials if you have already created an account. Through milConnect, you can also request your DD215 form, Report of Separation, other release papers, orders and endorsements, performance reports, awards and decorations, qualifications, and security clearance.<\/p>\n

Get Your DD214 By Mail<\/h4>\n

To retrieve your DD214 by mail, you have the following options:<\/p>\n