If you’re a Veteran looking to upgrade or buy a new home, then you should consider a VA Home Loan. These types of loans are only for service members, Veterans, and surviving spouses.
To receive a VA Home Loan, you will work with a private bank or mortgage company. The VA will guarantee a portion of the loan, which allows lenders to feel confident providing $0 down payment on the loan. You will, however, still need the following to qualify:
- A credit score of 620 or higher
- A debt-to-income ratio of 41 percent or less
- A valid Certificate of Eligibility
The first two requirements are self-explanatory. In this article, we’re going to focus on the third requirement – how to get a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a VA Home Loan.
Eligibility According to State of Military Operations
When applying for your COE, you will need to provide certain documents to prove that you served. One of those documents can be your DD214 once you were discharged.
Look below to find the state of military operation you were or are serving.
Active Duty Eligibility
If you are active duty, you will need a statement of service signed by an officer or your commander in the unit. The statement of service will need to show the following:
- SSN
- Date of birth
- Entry date
- Any lost time during your active duty
Note: You must serve for at least 90 consecutive days to be eligible.
Separated From Service Eligibility
Enlisted – Timeline: September 7, 1980 until present
Officers – Timeline: October 16, 1981 until present
| Length of Term | Discharge Type |
| 2 years active duty | All except dishonorable |
| 181 active duty or other ordered term | All except dishonorable |
| 181+ days active duty | Hardship, reduction in force, condition, service-connected compensable disability |
| Less than 181 days active duty | Service-connected disability |
Wartime Eligibility
World War II – Timeline: September 16, 1940 – July 25, 1947
Korean War – Timeline: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955
Vietnam War – Timeline: August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975
| Length of Term | Discharge Type |
| 90 days active duty | All discharges except dishonorable |
| Less than 90 days active duty | Service-connected disability discharge |
Peacetime Eligibility
All – Timeline: July 26- 1947 – June 26, 1950 and February 1, 1955 – August 4, 1964
Enlisted – Timeline: May 8, 1975 – September 7, 1980
Officers – Timeline: May 8, 1975 – October 16, 1981
| Length of Term | Discharge Type |
| 181 days active duty | All discharges except dishonorable |
| Less than 181 days | Service-connected disability discharge |
Reserve or National Guard Eligibility
Members of an active unit, attended required weekend drills and two-week active duty for training
| Length of Term | Discharge Type |
| 6+ years | Honorable discharge |
| 6+ years | Retired list |
| 6+ years | Standby or ready reserve with honorable discharge |
| 6+ years | Currently in selected reserve |
If you are a reservist or national guard, a DD214 does not exist. You will need to provide an NGB Form 22, a report of separation record of service, and NGB Form 23 Retirement Points Accounting.
Surviving Spouse Eligibility
Surviving Spouses may also be eligible for a VA Home Loan, given certain situations. See below for the qualifications:
- Un-remarried spouses of a Veteran who passed while in service
- Un-remarried spouses of a Veteran who passed from a service-connected disability
- Spouses of a servicemember missing in action or a prisoner of war
- Surviving spouse who remarries at the age of 57+ and is married on or after December 16, 2003
- Surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans who may have not passed from their disability
How to Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility
If you met any of the qualifications above that prove you are eligible for the state of military operation you served in, then you are able to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.
There are 3 ways you apply for your COE:
- Apply online in your eBenefits portal
- Apply through your bank or mortgage lender
- Apply by mail with VA Form 26-1880
If you have issues or roadblocks with getting your COE, you can give Strategic Veteran a call. We are a veteran-run company offering free resources to help you tackle the VA system.