The quickest way to get a VA certificate of eligibility is usually to ask a VA-approved lender to obtain it for you.
Discover how to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for your VA home loan quickly and easily. Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth application process and secure the financing you deserve.
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The VA certificate of eligibility is a document that tells a lender you meet the military service or surviving spouse requirements to get a VA home loan.
You can start shopping for VA loans without a certificate of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs, but youll need one before the home loan can close.
Getting one can be quick and easy. Heres how.
» MORE: Learn about VA loan requirements
Requesting a certificate of eligibility
If youre an eligible active-duty military member, veteran or National Guard or Reserve member, you can get a COE by:
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Asking a VA-approved lender to obtain it for you.
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Requesting the certificate through the VAs eBenefits portal.
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Completing a request for Certificate of Eligibility form and mailing it to a regional loan center.
The quickest way is often through a VA-approved lender. Most VA mortgage lenders have access to an internet-based application that can issue a certificate of eligibility on the spot if theres sufficient information in the system’s database.
That capability can simplify and expedite the process for many VA borrowers, says Kevin Parker, vice president of field mortgage originations at Navy Federal Credit Union.
» MORE: See NerdWallet picks for the best VA mortgage lenders
Surviving spouses can download a “request for determination of loan guarantee eligibility” form and take that to a lender for processing, according to the VA website. If you cant print the form, you can call 1-877-827-2702 to request one.
What you need to get a VA COE
In many cases, lenders can get the certificate of eligibility through the VA database simply by entering the borrowers personal information.
But in some instances, a document, such as a copy of a veterans discharge or separation papers, is needed for verification, Parker says. In that case, a lender could send the required documents on the borrowers behalf for the VA to process the request.
The type of documents you may need to show to get a certificate of eligibility depends on whether youre a veteran, service member, current or discharged National Guard or Reserve member. Heres what the VA website says you need.
Evidence to get a certificate of eligibility
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
VA home loan certificate of eligibility
