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VA Loan Eligibility

  • You have served 90 consecutive days of active duty during wartime.

  • You have served 181 days of active duty during peacetime.

  • You have 6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves, or served 90 days under Title 32 orders, with at least 30 consecutive days.

  • You are the spouse of a service member who passed away in service or from a service-connected disability.

If you don't meet these minimum service requirements, you might still qualify. Consult with a Home Loan Specialist today.

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Obtaining your COE

To confirm eligibility for a VA loan, lenders require a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This document assures the lender that you qualify for VA loan benefits.

Obtaining your COE is usually straightforward. Most lenders can retrieve your COE quickly using just your social security number and date of birth. In certain cases, obtaining a COE might be more complex. Nonetheless, you do not need this document before you apply for a VA loan. Contact a Home Loan Specialist to obtain your COE efficiently, usually within minutes, to facilitate your home financing process without delays. Alternative Methods to Obtain Your COE.

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Three primary ways to obtain a COE for a VA loan:

Through a VA-approved lender
Online via the VA's eBenefits portal
By mail using VA Form 26-1880

Most COE requests are processed electronically, with a significant portion issued immediately. If additional documentation is needed, it usually involves a DD Form 214 for regular military, or NGB Form 22 and NGB Form 23 for National Guard and Reserve members.

Documentation Requirements by Service Type:

- Veteran DD Form 214 (Report of Separation)
- Current or Former Activated National Guard or Reserves DD Form 214 (Report of Separation)
- Active Duty Statement of Service Current National Guard or Reserves (Never Activated)
- Statement of Service and a points statement Discharged National Guard (Never Activated)
- NGB Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) and NGB Form 23 (Retirement Points Accounting and proof of character of service)
- Discharged Reserves (Never Activated)
- Various forms depending on the branch, e.g., Army Reserve: DARP Form FM 249-2E or ARPC Form 606-E

Consult a trusted VA lending specialist today!

For assistance in determining your eligibility, consult a trusted VA lending specialist today.

Click to call 800-942-5394

How Spouses Can Verify Their VA Loan Eligibility

Surviving spouses also need a COE to verify eligibility and utilize VA loan benefits. The process depends on whether the spouse is receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

- Spouses with Dependency and Indemnity Compensation must complete VA Form 26-1817 and provide the veteran's separation documentation, such as a DD Form 214.

- If not receiving benefits, spouses should use VA Form 21P-534EZ and submit it to the VA Pension Management Center in their state, along with a marriage certificate, the veteran's death certificate or DD Form 1300, and the veteran's separation documents.

- Separation documents can be requested from the US National Archives and Records Administration.

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VA Lender Requirements

While the VA sets the criteria for loan eligibility, lenders who provide the financing may have additional requirements. These often include adequate income to repay the loan, suitable debt levels, and a credit score that meets the lender's standards.

The VA does not mandate a specific credit score for eligibility, but lenders usually do.

Most require a minimum 620 FICO score for financing.

Veterans should have sufficient residual income after covering major expenses each month.

Lenders also evaluate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to gauge your financial health and loan qualification potential.

You do not need to confirm eligibility before beginning the VA loan process.

The initial step, loan preapproval, will give you a clear indication of your loan prospects. The VA loan process typically spans 30 to 45 days post-contract on a home, but varies per individual. Applying for a VA loan does not bind you to a specific lender or proceed with the purchase.

Start your VA loan journey with Allstate Bancorp, a leading VA lender, to explore your home loan options further.

1. Contact a VA Lender

Initiate your application online, by phone, or in person.

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2. Verify VA Loan Eligibility

Obtain your COE through your lender or independently.

Check Eligibility

3. VA Loan Application

Complete the VA Loan Application. Submit all necessary documents to your lender.

Apply Online