What is the VA Certificate of Eligibility?
The VA Certificate of Eligibility is proof to your lender that you meet the criteria to receive the backing from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You must meet certain service requirements regarding the length of time you served in a branch of the armed forces, whether during wartime or peacetime. Some spouses may also qualify for the Certificate of Eligibility.
During the application process, you may hear this referred to or abbreviated as the VA loan COE.
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How Do I Get My VA Loan COE?
There are multiple ways you can obtain your Certificate of Eligibility, whether on your own or in conjunction with your lender.
Depending on the specific information you have and your access to the eBenefits portal, you may find one of these methods to be easier than another.
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- Ask your lender.
Many of the lenders that offer the VA loan program have access to the web-based system that establishes your eligibility.
With their help, you can obtain your VA loan COE in a matter of minutes. Not all veterans and service members will qualify for this method, so be sure to ask your lender.
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- Apply online through eBenefits.
If you feel confident online, you can apply on your own using the eBenefits portal. Users who have an existing account can use their current login credentials or register for a new account.
From here, you can follow the prompts to guide you through the process of verifying your eligibility.
- Apply by mail.
This is the most time-consuming way to receive your VA loan COE. You will need to fill out VA Form 25-1880 (Request for Certificate of Eligibility). The completed form can be mailed to:
VA Loan Eligibility Center
Attn: COE (262)
PO Box 100034
Decatur, GA 30031
What are the VA Entitlement Codes?
The VA entitlement codes are the numbers that describe the type of service that qualifies a veteran for the financing this program offers.
They have a numerical value assigned to specific types of service and time periods.
For the most part, these numbers are used internally to note which criteria you met.
When you officially receive your Certificate of Eligibility, your entitlement code will be located in the upper left-hand corner.
The codes range from one to eleven, representing service periods from World War II through the Gulf War.
The entitlement codes don’t play any part in how much of the maximum entitlement funding you will receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
These codes simply notate how you met the criteria to be eligible for the loan.
How Do I Find Out if I’m Eligible?
Many service members are eligible for the VA loan, but they don’t take advantage of the many ways that this loan can help them to save thousands of dollars.
You should start by evaluating whether you meet the requirements for the program.
Meeting the minimum requirements is easier than you may imagine. You can qualify if you have served through any branch of the armed forces, including the Active Reserve or National Guard.
The minimum service requirements will vary based on the time period in which you completed your duties. However, they typically include at least one of the following requirements:
- Served for 181 days on continuous active duty during peacetime (90 days during wartime)
- Served less than 181 days on continuous active duty and were discharged for a service-connected disability
- Served six years in the Reserve or National Guard
- Discharged from the Reserve or National Guard due to a service-connected disability
You must have a discharge for reasons other than dishonorable conduct.
Spouses may also qualify if they are the widow or widower of a veteran who died while in service, died from a service-connected disability, or had a spouse become missing in action or a prisoner of war.
If the death was not connected to a service-related disability or injury, you must be in receipt of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Spouses must remain unmarried until the age of 57 and become married after December 16, 2003 to be eligible.
These are general guidelines to help you determine your entitlement for the VA Certificate of Eligibility. You can view the full requirements here for more information.
VA Certificate of Eligibility FAQs
How long does it take to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
If applying through your lender or online, your Certificate of Eligibility may come back in just minutes.
Applying through the mail will require more time and may take up to six weeks before a decision is issued.
Does a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility expire?
No, a Certificate of Eligibility does not expire unless you obtained it while you were on active duty. If this is the case, you will need to reapply after the active duty tour is complete.
Conclusion
Obtaining a VA Certificate of Eligibility is the first step toward obtaining financing for this beneficial loan program.
Talk with your lender today about the steps you need to take in order to qualify for your VA loan COE and a VA home loan.
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