How to Get a VA Certificate of Eligibility

Learn More About VA COEs and How to Apply for One

A VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is important for veterans, active-duty and reserve service members, and surviving spouses who want to access certain VA benefits, such as a VA home loan. A COE proves your eligibility for VA loans and is required of all applicants. Learn more about COEs, how to get one, and how it can be a crucial step to helping you become a homeowner.

What Is a VA Certificate of Eligibility?

A VA Certificate of Eligibility is a document that shows your eligibility for a VA home loan. A COE provides proof that you're a VA loan-eligible veteran, active-duty military member, or surviving spouse of someone who's served. The VA requires lenders to have a copy of the COE to qualify you for a VA loan. In addition, the VA recommends getting a COE as soon as possible in the homebuying process to confirm your eligibility and move your application forward.

You'll need to provide a COE the first time you apply for a VA loan and for many refinances. For example, you likely won't need to get one if you apply for a VA streamline refinance.

VA Certificate of Eligibility Requirements

Veterans, active-duty military, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and surviving spouses may be eligible to get a VA loan COE. To qualify, you must have served the required minimum period of active duty based on when and how you served, and you must have been honorably discharged (with exceptions). Learn more about VA loan eligibility requirements.

Can I Get a COE if I Don't Meet the Minimum Service Requirements?

The VA states that even if you don't meet the minimum service requirements, you may still be eligible for a COE if you've been discharged for one of the following reasons:

• Hardship
• Convenience of the government (you've served at least 20 months of a two-year enlistment)
• Early out (you've served 21 months of a two-year enlistment)
• Reduction in force
• Certain medical conditions
• Disability, related to your service

How To Apply for a VA Certificate of Eligibility

The first step in getting a VA COE is to ask Freedom Mortgage to help you. If you prefer to do this on your own, gather the important information you'll need for the application. Depending upon your status (veteran, active service member, current National Guard or Reserve member), you'll need discharge papers or a statement of service. Your discharge papers are also known as your "DD Form 214" or just your "DD-214."

The VA provides a helpful guide that breaks down what information you'll need to apply for a COE, based on your type of service. Once you have the necessary documents handy, there are two ways you can apply.

• Online: Use the VA eBenefits system to apply electronically, once you've created an account. It can take approximately five minutes to submit a request online, and you'll receive your COE right away, if approved.
• By mail: Complete Form 26-1880 (Request for Certificate of Eligibility) and mail it to the address shown. The turnaround time for approval and delivery of a COE is approximately four to six weeks.

Freedom Mortgage can always assist you with getting your COE. Contact us at 877-220-5533 to get started.

Surviving Spouses Applying for a COE

A surviving spouse of a deceased service member can get a COE for a VA loan if at least one of these situations applies:

• The veteran is missing in action or a prisoner of war.
• The veteran died, either during their service or from a service-connected disability, and you did not remarry.
• The veteran died while in service, or from a service-connected disability, and you didn't remarry before you were 57 years old or before December 16, 2003.
• The veteran had been totally disabled, then died, but their disability may not have been the cause of death (in certain situations).

If you're a surviving spouse of a veteran or service member and are applying for a VA loan, you'll need to gather information. This includes your marriage license, along with your spouse's separation papers and death certificate. You also may need to complete a form, depending on whether you're receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

Entitlement Codes and Funding Fees

If you meet the VA's minimum service requirements, you'll receive a COE. It'll show basic information, like your name, Social Security number, and type of service. You'll also notice that it includes an "entitlement code." This code is provided on every Certificate of Eligibility, and there may be more than one shown. There are 11 entitlement codes:

• 01: World War II
• 02: Korean War
• 03: Post-Korean War
• 04: Vietnam War
• 05: Entitlement Restored
• 06: Surviving Spouse
• 07: Spouse of POW/MIA
• 08: Post-World War II
• 09: Post-Vietnam
• 10: Persian Gulf War
• 11: Selected Reserves

Most codes correspond with a specific time or type of service. Entitlement Code 05 (Entitlement Restored) indicates that you've used your VA loan benefit at least once before but that you're free to use your VA loan benefit again. Codes 06 and 07 pertain to spouses of service members and indicate their eligibility to apply for a VA loan.

Most active-duty military service members and veterans who are buying or refinancing with a VA loan will need to pay a one-time VA funding fee. This fee is used to fund the VA loan program. The VA loan Certificate of Eligibility shows if you're exempt from paying it. VA loan applicants who collect (or are eligible for) VA compensation for a service-related disability or are an eligible surviving spouse are exempt, meaning that they don't have to pay the VA funding fee.

Getting a COE for a VA Loan FAQs

Here are the answers to some questions about getting a COE for a VA loan.

Does a COE Mean I am Guaranteed VA Loan Approval?

The COE means you're eligible to receive a loan through the VA program, but it's not a guarantee you'll be approved. You'll still need to meet certain credit score and income conditions, and the property you're purchasing will be subject to a VA appraisal and inspection that must meet VA minimum property requirements.

How Long Does It Take to Get a COE for a VA Loan?

Depending on how you apply for your VA loan COE, it could take as little as a few minutes or up to a few weeks. People who request it online usually take about five minutes to fill out the form, according to the VA. Once approved, you'll have the form immediately. Requesting through the mail takes four to six weeks to receive the COE.

Does a VA Certificate of Eligibility Expire?

A VA loan Certificate of Eligibility doesn't expire, but you may need to get a new one in some cases. For example, if your duty status changes from active to veteran after already getting a COE, you'll need a new one. You may also need a new one if you used some of your entitlement and want to get a new house.

Do You Need a COE to Refinance a VA Loan?

You may need to get a new COE to refinance a VA loan in some cases. If you choose a streamlined refinance (VA interest rate reduction refinance loan, or VA IRRRL), you usually won't need a new COE. You likely do need one if you're doing a VA cash out refinance.

Final Thoughts: How to Get a COE for a VA Loan

Qualifying veterans and others who've served in the military or lost a spouse who served are entitled to benefits such as VA home loans, and these individuals could benefit tremendously from these loans when buying a home. Part of applying for a VA loan is getting a VA Certificate of Eligibility. Another part is finding the right lender. Freedom Mortgage is proud to have helped thousands of veteran families as a top VA lender, according to a January-March 2025 report from Inside Mortgage Finance. If you're ready to get started saving money with a VA loan, you can get prequalified today.