Certificate of Eligibility for a VA Loan
What Is A Certificate Of Eligibility (COE)?
A Certificate Of Eligibility (COE) can be used to show that you are eligible for a VA loan. You need to show proof of service for a COE to be valid. Depending on if you’re an active-duty military member, a veteran, a surviving spouse, or both, the proof you need to submit varies.
VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
It is an important part of VA loan eligibility that you don’t need your Certificate of Eligibility to apply. The lender will be able to confirm that you qualify for VA loan benefits.
It’s not necessary to get your COE before applying for a VA loan, as most VA lenders are able to pull it through the automated system. Almost all VA loan COEs are requested electronically and two-thirds are issued immediately, according to the VA.
How to get your Certificate Of Eligibility for a VA loan
Here are 3 ways you can get your Certificate Of Eligibility for a VA loan:
- Using a VA approved lender.
- The VA’s eBenefits portal
- Speak with a Home Loan Specialist if you’d like to apply via mail.
The process takes minutes to complete with proof of your military service and ensures your home financing moves forward without delays.
Documents Required to Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility
Proof of service to obtain your COE often comes in the form of the DD Form 214 for regular military, and the NGB Forms 22 & 23 for National Guard and Reserves. However, this isn’t always the case.
Can I get a Certificate of Eligibility for a VA direct or VA-backed home loan?
If you did not get a dishonorable discharge and met the minimum active-duty service requirement at the time you served, you may be eligible for a COE.
- When did you serve? If you served for at least this amount of time, you meet the minimum active-duty service requirement:
90 days total, or less if you were dismissed due to a service-connected disability. Between the 26th of July, 1947, and the 26th of June, 1950, (post-WWII period)
2. If you served for at least this amount of time on active duty, you meet the minimum requirement:
If you were discharged for a service-connected disability, you must have served for at least 181 days.
3. If you served for at least this amount of time between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955 (Korean War), you meet the minimum active-duty service requirement:
90 days total, or less if you were dismissed due to a service-connected disability. Between the 1st of February, 1955, and the 4th of August, 1964, (post-Korean War period).
4. If you served for at least this amount of time on active duty, you meet the minimum requirement:
If you were discharged for a service-connected disability, you must have served for at least 181 days.
5. If you served in the Republic of Vietnam between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War), or between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War), you meet the minimum active-duty service requirement:
90 days overall, or less if you were dismissed due to a service-connected disability.
How do I get my VA Certificate of Eligibility?
You can apply for your COE online or print a request from the VA website.
You can also work with your lender to get your COE, but keep in mind that VA requirements might disqualify some lenders to do so.
Always check with your lender to see if they can help you with a VA loan.
What is a military certificate of eligibility for a VA loan?
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document that certifies a borrower’s eligibility for a VA loan.
Before obtaining a VA loan, every lender must verify that a veteran or service member has met the military service requirement; the COE is utilized for this verification.
How long does it take for a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility?
The time it takes to acquire a Certificate of Eligibility depends on a variety of circumstances, but it can take up to six weeks.
The following are a few issues that can lengthen the time it takes to acquire your COE:
Requesting the document by mail. Length of time since you’ve served.
VA request for certificate of eligibility
Applying for your COE is only one part of the process for getting a VA direct or VA-backed home loan.
Your next steps will be determined by the type of loan you want and what type of lender you use.
A VA appraisal (assessment) of the house will be requested by the lender. An appraisal determines the market worth of a property at the time of inspection.
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