VA Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions

This VA Eligibility FAQ is provided to help you understand VA eligibility and reuse eligibility for another VA loan.

How do I apply for a VA-guaranteed loan?

You can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender participating in the VA home loan program. At some point, you will need to get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to prove to the lender that you are eligible for such a loan.

How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

Complete an 1880: You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by submitting a completed Form 26-1880. Request A Certificate of Eligibility For Home Loan Benefits to the Winston-Salem Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service. In some cases, it may be possible to establish eligibility without your proof of service. However, it’s best to provide such evidence to avoid any possible delays.

Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for me?

Yes, it’s called ACE (automated certificate of eligibility). Most lenders have access to the ACE system. This Internet-based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in seconds. Not all cases can be processed through ACE – only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate.

What is acceptable proof of military service?

  • If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters, which identifies you and your social security number, and provides your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.
  • If you were discharged from regular active duty after January 1, 1950, a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release, or Discharge From Active Duty should be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included. A PHOTOCOPY OF DD214 WILL SUFFICE – DO NOT SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.
  • If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters, which shows your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.
  • If you were discharged from the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include copies of adequate documentation of at least six years of honorable service. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force National Guard, you may submit NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, or it’s equivalent. If you were discharged from the Selected Reserve, you may submit a copy of your latest annual points statement and evidence of honorable service.
    • Unfortunately, no single form used by the Reserves or National Guard is similar to the DD Form 214. You must furnish adequate documentation of at least six years of honorable service.
  • If you are still serving in the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing the length of time that you have been a member of the Selected Reserves. Again, at least six years of honorable service must be documented.

Start the Conversation

Additional VA Eligibility FAQs

Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is used to apply for proof of military service regardless of whether you served on regular active duty or in the selected reserves. This request form is NOT processed by VA. Rather, Standard Form 180 is completed and mailed to the appropriate custodian of military service records. Instructions are provided on the reverse of the form to assist in determining the correct forwarding address.

Yes, your eligibility is reusable depending on the circumstances. Normally, if you have paid off your prior loan and disposed of the property, you can have your used eligibility restored for additional use. Also, on a one-time only basis, you may have your eligibility restored if your prior loan has been paid in full but you still own the property.

In either case, to obtain restoration of eligibility, the veteran must send VA a completed VA Form 26-1880 to our Winston-Salem Eligibility Center. To prevent delays in processing, it is also advisable to include evidence that the prior loan has been paid in full and, if applicable, the property disposed of. This evidence can be in the form of a paid-in-full statement from the former lender, or a copy of the HUD-1 settlement statement completed in connection with a sale of the property or refinance of the prior loan.

In this case the veteran’s eligibility can be restored only if the qualified assumer is also an eligible veteran who is willing to substitute his or her available eligibility for that of the original veteran. Otherwise, the original veteran cannot have eligibility restored until the assumer has paid off the VA loan.

Although the veteran’s debt was waived by VA, the Government still suffered a loss on the loan. The law does not permit the used portion of the veteran’s eligibility to be restored until the loss has been repaid in full.

Same as above, although the veteran’s debt was waived by VA, the Government still suffered a loss on the loan. The law does not permit the used portion of the veteran’s eligibility to be restored until the loss has been repaid in full.

Yes, depending on the circumstances. If a veteran has already used a portion of his or her eligibility and the used portion cannot yet be restored, any partial remaining eligibility would be available for use. The veteran would have to discuss with a lender whether the remaining balance would be sufficient for the loan amount sought and whether any down payment would be required.

The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benefit. If you wish to make application for the home loan benefit as a surviving spouse, contact our Winston-Salem Eligibility Center. In addition, a surviving spouse who obtained a VA home loan with the veteran prior to his or her death (regardless of the cause of death), may obtain a VA guaranteed interest rate reduction refinance loan. For more information, contact our Winston-Salem Eligibility Center.

[NOTE: Also, a surviving spouse who remarries on or after attaining age 57, and on or after December 16, 2003, may be eligible for the home loan benefit. However, a surviving spouse who remarried before December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, must apply no later than December 15, 2004, to establish home loan eligibility. VA must deny applications from surviving spouses who remarried before December 16, 2003 that are received after December 15, 2004.]

No, the children of an eligible veteran are not eligible for the home loan benefit.

Contact Joel Richardson
Have more questions about VA loans and eligibility that weren’t addressed here? Whether you’re a local Austin resident or live in another part of the country, Joel Richardson and his team are here to help you. 

© Joel Richardson. All Rights Reserved. | This website is operated by Joel Richardson, who is currently an employee of VeraBank, N.A. (“VeraBank”) The views expressed on this website are not necessarily those of VeraBank. This website also has its own privacy policy, which may differ from VeraBank’s privacy policy. VeraBank makes no express or implied warranty regarding the information or data on this website, and hereby expressly disclaims all legal liability and responsibility to persons or entities who use or access this site and its content, based on their reliance on any information or data that is available through this website. Joel Richardson has sole responsibility for the information and data on this website. Deposit and loan products described on this website are offered through VeraBank, Member FDIC. To visit VeraBank’s website, here.