Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

After providing your DD214, the next step is obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE verifies to the lender that you are eligible for a VA-backed loan. The evidence needed for a COE is based on the nature of eligibility.  Before digging through piles of old papers looking for your DD Form 214, allow us to try to obtain your COE from VA first.  If we cannot get one immediately from VA, we will ask for your DD 214 at that time to show proof of service.

Veterans and current/former National Guard or Reserve members who have Federal active service need to submit the following:

• DD Form 214 

*required to have a copy showing the type of service (item 24) AND the narrative reason for separation (item 28).

Active Duty Service Members submit the following:

• A current statement of service:
  signed by 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 submit the following:

•  A current statement of service:
  signed by 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

Discharged member of the National Guard who has never been activated for Federal active service submits the following:

• NGB Form 22, Report of Separation AND Record of Service, for each period of National Guard service
  OR
• 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 submits the following:

• Copy of the latest annual retirement points statement AND evidence of honorable discharge

Surviving Spouse receiving Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits submit the following:
VA form 26-1817 and veteran’s DD214 ( if available)
*Include veteran’s and surviving spouse’s social security number on the 26-1817 form

Surviving Spouse not receiving Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits submit the following to the appropriate Compensation and Pension office:
– VA form 21-534
– DD214 (if available)
– Marriage License
– Death Certificate or DD Form 1300 – Report of Casualty

Once proper documentation is gathered and completed, Service Members, Veterans, and National Guard and Reserve Members may:

-Apply online: Submit your DD214 to Veterans Mortgage of America at [email protected]

-Apply through VMA: VMA has access to the VA online system. This method can establish eligibility and issue an online COE in a few seconds. *Not everyone qualifies to apply online, make sure to ask your lending professional if you wish to apply this way.

-Apply by mail: Use VA Form 26-1880, Request for Certificate of Eligibility.

Surviving Spouses may:

-submit the VA form 26-1817 through VMA

or you can submit to us for electronic submission for faster results.