VA Mortgage Home Loan
How Do I Prove to the Lender that I’m Eligible?
You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before you can get a VA-backed loan. This section shows how you can apply for one.
Among categories A, B, and C below, find the one that matches your situation.
Category A: Veterans, Active Duty, and Reservists/National Guard Members Who Have Served on Active Duty
You can get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in any of three ways:
- Apply online. Go to the eBenefits portal (http://www.ebenefits.va.gov) and click on the My eBenefits tab towards the top, on the left side. It will open a screen with several benefit areas. On the bottom right of the screen is the Housing tab. You will need login credentials to request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). If you have them, enter your Username and Password, if you need to request login credentials, you can simply click on the “Request/Activate a DoD Self-Service Logon” link which is shown below the area where you logon.
- Apply through the lender. In many cases, lenders can obtain a Certificate online in minutes. Check the table below entitled, “Evidence Needed for the Certificate of Eligibility.”
- Apply by mail. Use VA Form 26-1880. Return it to the address shown on the form. If you can’t print the form, just call 1-888-244-6711 and follow the prompts for Eligibility. We can mail it to you.
Evidence you’ll need when you apply (Category A)
Category B: Reservists/National Guard Members Who Have Never Served on Active Duty
You can get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in any of three ways:
- Apply online. Go to the eBenefits portal (http://www.ebenefits.va.gov) and click on the My eBenefits tab towards the top, on the left side. It will open a screen with several benefit areas. On the bottom right of the screen is the Housing tab. You will need login credentials to request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). If you have them, enter your Username and Password, if you need to request login credentials, you can simply click on the “Request/Activate a DoD Self-Service Logon” link which is shown below the area where you logon.
- Apply through the lender. Your lender can submit your application online for you. Check the table below entitled, “Evidence Needed for the Certificate of Eligibility.”
- Apply by mail. Use VA Form 26-1880. If you can’t print the form, just call 1-888-244-6711 and follow the prompts for Eligibility. We can mail it to you.
Evidence you’ll need when you apply (Category B)
Category C: Surviving Spouses of Veterans Who Died In Service or As a Result of Service
You must apply for the Certificate by mail.
If your veteran spouse died after service, VA must determine that the death was due to a service-connected disability. Please allow 2-3 months for this process unless you know that the decision on service-connected death has already been made.
Apply using VA Form 26-1817. If you can’t print the form, just call 1-888-244-6711 and follow the prompts for Eligibility. We can mail it to you.
Send the completed form to:
VA Loan Eligibility Center
PO Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
