Requesting a VA Certificate of Eligibility is central to VA home loan pre-qualification. The documents needed to request a VA COE differ based on type of service.
VA Certificate Of Eligibility Required Documents
The chart below outlines what documents VA requires in order to request a VA Certificate of Eligibility. The documents needed depend on the veteran’s category of service. Obtaining a VA COE is a key step in the VA Home Loan process. The veteran’s mortgage lender can request the COE for you. Also, the veteran may request the COE themselves directly from VA.
| CATEGORY | EVIDENCE TO APPLY |
| Veteran | DD Form 214opens IMAGE file |
| Current or former Nat’l Guard who has been activated Federal active service | DD Form 214opens IMAGE file |
| Active Duty Service-member | A current statement of service: Signed by (or by direction of): the adjutant, personnel office, or commander of the unit or higher headquarters showing: Your full name Social Security Number Date of Birth Entry date on active duty The duration of any lost time The name of the command providing the information |
| Current National Guard or Reserve member who has never been Federal active service | Statement of service: signed by (or by the direction of): the adjutant, personnel officer or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing: Your full name Social Security Number Date of birth Entry date on duty The total number of creditable years of service The duration of any lost time The name of the command providing the information |
| Discharged member of the National Guard who has never been activated for Federal active service | NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, for each period of National Guard service -AND- NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, and proof of the character of service |
| Discharged member of the Selected Reserve who has never been activated for Federal active service | Copy of your latest annual retirement points statement and evidence of honorable service |
| If you are a Surviving Spouse in Receipt of DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation) benefits | Submit VA form 26-1817 and veteran’s DD214opens IMAGE file ( if available) Include veteran’s and surviving spouse’s social security number on the 26-1817 form |
| If you are a Surviving Spouse and are not receiving DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation) benefits | Submit the following to the appropriate Compensation and Pension office: VA form 21P-534-AREopens PDF file DD214opens IMAGE file (if available) Marriage License Death Certificate or DD Form 1300 – Report of Casualty Please find the mailing address for your state to send the VA 21-534 on the following link. PMC States |
