How do I obtain my certificate of eligibility?

Your Certificate of Eligibility is a document issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs that determines 1) if you are eligible for a VA home loan and 2) how much entitlement you have remaining.

The current amount of entitlement available to each eligible veteran is $36,000. This was much lower in years past and has been increased over time by changes in the law. For example, a veteran who obtained a $25,000 loan in 1974 would have used $12,500 guaranty entitlement, the maximum then available. Even if that loan is not paid off, the veteran could use the $23,500 difference between the $12,500 entitlement originally used and the current maximum of $36,000 to buy another home with VA financing. An additional $14,750, up to a maximum entitlement of $50,750 is available for loans above $144,000 to purchase or construct a home.

Most lenders require that a combination of the guaranty entitlement and any cash down payment must equal at least 25 percent of the reasonable value or sales price of the property, whichever is less. Thus, in the example, the veteran's $23,500 remaining entitlement would probably meet a lender's minimum guaranty requirement for a no down payment loan to buy a property valued at and selling for $94,000. The veteran could also combine a down payment with the remaining entitlement for a larger loan amount.

To request a certificate from VA, you must:

• complete VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits

• submit it to one of the VA Eligibility Centers (see below) copies of your most recent discharge or separation papers covering active military duty since September 16, 1940, which show active duty dates and type of discharge. If you have been discharged from regular active duty, it may be possible to obtain a determination without providing evidence of your military service. However, it is best to provide such evidence with your VA Form 26-1880 to prevent possible delays in processing your request.

If you were separated after January 1, 1950, you should submit DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214, copy 4, should be included.

Since there is no uniform document similar to the DD214 for proof of service in the Selected Reserve, a number of different forms may be accepted as documentation of service in the Selected Reserve.

For those who served in the Army or Air National Guard and were discharged after at least 6 years of such service, NGB Form 22 may be sufficient.

Those who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserves may need to rely on a variety of forms that document at least 6 years of participation in paid training periods or paid active duty for training. Often it will be necessary to submit a combination of documents such as an Honorable Discharge certificate together with a Retirement Points Statement. It is the reservist’s responsibility to obtain and submit documentation of 6 years of honorable service.

In addition, if you are now on active duty and have not been previously discharged from active duty service, you must submit a statement of service which includes the name of the issuing authority (base or command), and is signed by or at the direction of an appropriate official. The statement must identify you and your social security number, and provide your date of entry on active duty and the duration of any lost time. .

The completed VA Form 26-1880 along with the DD214 or other proof of military service should be sent to one of the VA Eligibility Centers.

A veteran who has previously used his/her loan guaranty benefits may apply for the restoration of these benefits if

• the home has been sold and

• the loan is now paid in full or assumed by a veteran who has entitlement to substitute for the amount of entitlement originally used on the loan.

• on a one-time only basis, the veteran still owns the property but the loan is now paid in full. 

To apply for restoration of entitlement, submit a VA Form 26-1880 and the Original Certificate of Eligibility. It would be advisable to submit a copy of the HUD-1, Closing Statement, or other appropriate evidence of payment in full.

VA Eligibility Centers:

If you live in one of the following states:

Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia or West Virginia

Mail your VA Form 26-1880 and proof of military service to:

VA Loan Eligibility Center
PO Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120 
Toll free number: 1-888-244-6711

If you live in one of the following states:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming

Mail your VA Form 26-1880 and proof of military service to:

Los Angeles Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 240097
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Toll free number: 1-888-487-1970