VA Form 26-1880
Request for a Certificate of Eligibility
You are applying for a VA home loan and your lender cannot automatically obtain your COE through VA's electronic system. Or you want the COE in advance before approaching a lender.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Specialty Benefits
- Estimated time
- 15-20 minutes.
- When to file
- Before or during the mortgage application process. Can also apply online at va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/apply-for-coe-form-26-1880.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-26-1880/
Gather before you start
- ▸DD-214 (character of discharge and service dates)
- ▸VA File Number if you have one
- ▸Discharge type and service information
- ▸Contact information for the lender you plan to work with (optional)
Attach with the form
- ▸DD-214 (if not already on file with VA)
- ▸Statement of service if still on active duty
- ▸Points summary (for reservists/National Guard)
Section I - Veteran Identification
Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, DOB, address, phone, VA File NumberPII
Your identifying information. Include VA File Number if you have received VA benefits before - this speeds COE issuance by linking to your existing records.
(legal name, SSN, DOB, address)
Common mistakes
- ×Not knowing the COE can often be obtained by the lender electronically through VA's ACE system in seconds - ask your lender if they can do this before filing a paper form.
- ×Applying for a COE before finding a lender - some veterans get the COE first, but most lenders prefer to handle it directly.
Section II - Military Service
Blocks 7-14Branch, service dates, character of discharge
VA uses this to verify your eligibility for the home loan guaranty. Regular military: minimum 90 days of active duty (wartime) or 181 days (peacetime) with honorable or general discharge. National Guard/Reserve: 6+ years of service OR 90 days of active duty during a qualifying wartime period. Surviving spouse: veteran died in service or from a SC condition.
(DD-214 service dates, branch, discharge type)
Common mistakes
- ×Reserve/Guard members not knowing they may qualify - 6 years of satisfactory service OR qualifying active-duty mobilization.
- ×Veterans with "General (Under Honorable Conditions)" discharge not applying - this discharge generally qualifies for VA home loans.
- ×Not knowing you can use VA loan benefits multiple times as long as entitlement is restored or full entitlement remains.
Authority
- 38 CFR 36.4302 - VA home-loan entitlement calculation.
- 38 USC 3702 - Veteran eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans.
Section III - Restoration of Entitlement (if applicable)
Block 15Request to restore previously-used home loan entitlement
If you previously used VA loan benefits and paid off the loan (sold the home and paid the loan in full, or refinanced to a non-VA loan and paid off the VA loan), you can request restoration of entitlement on this form. Attach proof of payoff: closing disclosure or payoff statement.
e.g., Prior VA loan fully paid off on 03/15/2024 (payoff documentation attached).
Common mistakes
- ×Not knowing you can use VA loans multiple times - entitlement can be restored when prior loan is paid off.
- ×Confusing "second-tier entitlement" with restoration - you can have a second VA loan simultaneously without restoring if you have remaining entitlement.
Section IV - Certification
Blocks 16-17Veteran signature and datePII
Sign and date. Send to your VA Regional Loan Center (RLC) or apply online. COE issuance typically takes 2-3 weeks for paper applications; online is often same-day.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Mailing to the wrong address - VA Regional Loan Centers vary by state; check va.gov for your RLC.
- ×Not knowing the online COE application at va.gov is much faster than paper.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 36.4302 - VA home-loan entitlement calculation.
- 38 USC 3702 - Veteran eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans.