How to Apply for a VA Loan

Learn More About Eligibility and VA Loan Applications

Loans from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are a great way for Veterans, military personnel, and surviving spouses who qualify to buy or refinance a home. The benefits of VA loans include 0% down payments, no mortgage insurance, flexible credit scores, and competitive interest rates.

How you’d apply for a VA loan is similar to the way you’d apply for other types of mortgages. However, there are some differences. Read on to learn more about how to apply for a VA loan!

Confirm Your VA Loan Eligibility

Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and some surviving spouses may be eligible for the VA home loan program. The first time you apply for a VA loan, you‘ll want to confirm that you’re eligible.

The length of service is an important eligibility requirement for VA loans, as is the character of service. Active-duty military personnel may be eligible after 90 days of continuous duty. The length of service requirements for Veterans varies, depending on whether or not you served during wartime or peacetime, as well as other factors. There are also requirements for surviving spouses who want to apply for a VA loan. Learn more about VA loan eligibility requirements.

Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

You'll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to prove you are eligible for a VA loan. Veterans will typically need a copy of their discharge or separation papers (DD Form 214) to get a COE. Active-duty personnel usually need a statement of service that’s been signed by their commander or other officer. You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through the VA website.

Surviving spouses also need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. The VA website has information on how surviving spouses can apply for a COE.

If you are a current Freedom Mortgage customer, we may not need a new copy of your Certificate of Eligibility when you apply for a new VA loan with us.

Complete a VA Loan Application

Applying for a VA loan is similar to applying for other mortgages. You’ll need to complete an application and provide us with credit, income, and financial documents. This is true when you are buying a house or refinancing to get cash from your home’s equity with a VA loan. Learn more about applying for a mortgage.

Easier Applications for VA Loan Refinances

When refinancing a VA loan, you can often use the streamline program, which has less paperwork and faster closings. We can take your refinance application on the phone. Learn more about VA streamline refinances.

Understand VA Loan Limits

The VA eliminated the VA loan guarantee limits for Veterans with full entitlement. This means that you may be able to qualify for a VA loan with no maximum home price and no down payment. This change does not guarantee that you’ll be approved for a larger loan amount. You’ll still need to meet our credit, financial, and income requirements to get your VA loan approved. Read more about VA loan limits.

Meet the Minimum Property Requirements

In most cases, you can use a VA loan to buy only a primary residence, which is a home where you intend to live. The Department of Veterans Affairs also has minimum property requirements for single-family houses that the home needs to meet. A VA-approved appraiser will inspect the home to establish its value and make sure it is safe, sound, and sanitary.

Purchasing a condo or townhouse with a VA loan includes certain requirements. Typically, the condominium or townhouse community needs to be on the Department of Veterans Affairs' list of approved properties. Learn more about VA appraisal requirements.

Check the Closing Costs

The closing costs on a VA loan can average between 1% and 5% of the home’s price, according to The Mortgage Reports. Most Veterans need to pay a funding fee, which is included in their closing costs. As a part of the closing process, Veterans may need to negotiate their buyer-broker (i.e., real estate professional) fees with their real estate professional (or as a part of the closing process with the seller). Learn about VA loan closing costs.

Sign Your Disclosures and Attend Closing

You’ll need to sign your disclosures and attend the closing of your VA loan, just like you do for other types of mortgages. Learn more about our mortgage application process.

*Freedom Mortgage is proud to be a top VA lender in the United States, Inside Mortgage Finance, Jan.-Mar., 2025.

Last reviewed and updated August 2025 by Freedom Mortgage.