VA Loan Hub · COE

How to Get a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for 2026

Last reviewed: Dec 28, 2026 • Primary sources: VA Lender’s Handbook · VA.gov Home Loans
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

I’m buying a home I’m refinancing I’m trying to get my COE I’m gathering documents

Your VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the document your lender uses to confirm you qualify for a VA-backed home loan and how much entitlement is available. For most borrowers, a COE can be pulled electronically in minutes, but some cases need extra proof of service. This guide breaks down the fastest request paths, required documents, and common fixes.

Quick Answers

Fast steps, common delays, timing, and fixes.

Key Steps to Get Your COE

Confirm your status and gather proof of service so the COE request matches your official record.
Use an electronic request first, since it is typically the fastest when records match.
Keep names and identifying details consistent across documents to avoid manual review.
Review entitlement and remarks early so issues don’t appear after you’re under contract.

Common COE Delays to Avoid

Incomplete service dates or unclear separation paperwork can trigger document requests and slow processing.
Ignoring prior VA loan use can cause confusion about remaining entitlement and $0-down planning.
Waiting until you’re close to closing reduces options if your case needs a correction or exception.

How Long Does It Take?

If records match VA data, a lender electronic pull can return quickly.
Guard/Reserve history may take longer if duty periods need extra verification.
Mail requests tend to be slower than lender or VA.gov requests.

What If Your COE Has an Error?

Act early: tell your lender immediately and provide supporting documents.
Many COE corrections require manual review, so a clean “evidence packet” matters.
Re-check entitlement and remarks before you write offers or lock a closing timeline.

Planning guidance only. Official eligibility and COE issuance are determined by the VA; lenders still underwrite credit, income, and the property.

Talk to a VA lender to pull your COE for you (fastest)

In many cases, a VA-approved lender can request your COE electronically during pre-approval. If VA needs extra proof, you’ll already have a clear document list and next steps.

COE Route Finder

Answer a few quick questions to see the most common COE request path for your situation, what documents usually unblock delays, and what to review on the COE once it’s issued. This tool does not ask for or store sensitive identifiers like SSNs.

Your Service Status Current status (required)

Use the closest match. If your case is complex (multiple components, multiple periods of service), expect VA to request supporting records.

Basic Information

Have you ever used a VA loan before? (required)

Prior use changes entitlement math. If your COE still shows an old loan, it’s usually a record update issue—not a deal-breaker.

Do you have service documentation handy? (required)

Most COE delays come from unreadable or inconsistent documents (names, SSNs, dates). Clean scans + consistent data are the fastest wins.

Try an Example

Example scenario

Examples are only to show typical paths. Always confirm eligibility and entitlement directly with VA and your lender.

Planning estimate only. For official instructions, see VA COE request options.

This tool needs JavaScript to generate a personalized route. You can still use the official COE request options on VA.gov, or ask a VA‑approved lender to pull your COE through WebLGY.

COE Document Checklist

Use this checklist to build a clean “one packet” submission — readable scans, consistent names/SSNs/dates, and the right proof for your status. The checklist can be copied as plain text for your notes or your loan officer.

How to avoid COE delays

Verify consistency across documents (name, SSN, service dates). Mismatches can trigger manual review.
Make scans readable (clear dates, signatures, and separation type/character of service where applicable).
If you have multiple service periods or components, include a short service timeline so VA doesn’t have to guess.

Who are you applying as?

Core documents

Optional but helpful

Saved locally on this device for convenience. Nothing is sent to a server.

Checklist Summary (copy-friendly)

As you check items off, this summary updates in plain text. If “Copy” doesn’t work in your browser, you can select the text and copy manually.

Checklist summary text

Choose a role and start checking off documents to see your status.

What Is a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the VA document that proves you can use the VA home loan benefit. It also shows how much entitlement is available for your next loan. Lenders use it to confirm service-based eligibility and whether you have full or remaining entitlement before final underwriting. For baseline eligibility rules, see VA home loan eligibility.

COE ≠ loan approval

A COE is an eligibility and entitlement checkpoint. Lenders still underwrite credit, income, assets, and the property. The operational goal is simple: confirm eligibility early, confirm entitlement early, and eliminate avoidable surprises before the contract clock starts.

Request or pull the COE early so you know whether you have full entitlement or a remaining balance tied to another loan.
Match the personal data on your COE to your ID and application (name/SSN mismatches commonly trigger manual review).
If you’ve used a VA loan before, ask your lender to explain how your COE reflects prior use and what it means for $0-down assumptions.

What Your COE Actually Shows

Your COE is more than a yes/no letter. It includes entitlement and funding-fee details lenders underwrite against. Review it early—especially if you’ve used a VA loan before—so you can correct errors before closing deadlines get tight.

COE fields lenders focus on (and why they matter)

COE Item	What It Usually Means	Why It Matters Operationally
Entitlement / Available Guaranty	How much entitlement is available and whether any is currently tied to another VA loan.	Drives whether you’re treated as full entitlement or partial entitlement when structuring the deal.
Prior Use	Evidence that the VA benefit has been used before.	Helps the lender confirm remaining entitlement and avoid incorrect $0‑down assumptions.
Funding Fee Status	Whether you may be exempt or required to pay the VA funding fee.	Changes cash‑to‑close planning and can affect how the loan is structured and disclosed.
Entitlement Code / Remarks	Service-era category and notes that explain how eligibility was established.	Supports fast triage when a lender needs to validate eligibility or correct mismatched records.

Read the COE line-by-line with your lender so you understand how entitlement was applied and whether any prior VA loan is still active.
If the COE shows reduced entitlement, request a remaining entitlement calculation and confirm whether a down payment could be required for your target loan amount.
If something looks off, request a correction early and keep supporting documents ready—COE updates can involve manual review.

For deeper interpretation context, see VA’s eligibility and entitlement reference: VA M26-7 Chapter 2 (Eligibility & Entitlement) .

How to Request a COE Through a Lender, VA.gov, or Mail

You can request a COE through a lender’s electronic portal, online on VA.gov, or by mailing VA Form 26‑1880. Lender and online requests can return results quickly when records match; mail is typically the slower fallback for exceptions. Official overview: VA COE request options.

COE request methods: when to use each

Request Method	Best Use Case	What You Provide	Common Failure Point
Lender electronic request	Most purchase and refinance files where VA records match your identity and service history.	Identifying information + authorization as part of the loan application.	Record mismatches or missing service segments that force manual review.
Online request on VA.gov	Self-service copy for your records or to validate entitlement before shopping.	A verified sign-in (Login.gov / ID.me) and supporting info where needed.	Incomplete service history or missing documentation for certain scenarios.
Mail submission (VA Form 26‑1880)	Exception handling when automated pulls fail or VA needs supporting proof.	Completed form + proof of service and any supporting records.	Incomplete packet, unclear copies, or incorrect service dates.

Disciplined request workflow

Choose one method and execute it cleanly. Switching midstream can create duplicate requests and slow the file.
If an automated request fails, don’t assume you’re ineligible—most failures are documentation or data issues that can be corrected.
If you’re on a tight timeline, start with a lender electronic request and keep documents ready for rapid upload if VA asks for proof.

How lenders pull a COE (WebLGY)

The lender collects your basic information and any available service documents.
The loan officer submits an electronic COE request through VA’s secure system.
If records are complete, a COE is issued quickly with entitlement and funding-fee status.
If records are incomplete, VA prompts for additional documents and may move the case to manual review.

Guard & Reserve: verification is the risk

Guard/Reserve careers often include multiple short activations, so eligibility hinges on documenting qualifying duty periods precisely.
Use points statements, orders, and separation documents to tell one coherent story the reviewer can validate quickly.
If you spot missing activations or incorrect personal data, fix it through your personnel office before applying to reduce manual review risk.

Additional documentation context (varies by component): DD Form 214 series guidance.

Do You Need a New COE for a Refinance or IRRRL?

Refinance workflows can feel simpler, but lenders still must ensure the entitlement record supports the transaction. An IRRRL (streamline refinance) is tied to an existing VA loan, so lenders often verify prior entitlement electronically. Cash‑out refinances typically require a full eligibility and entitlement check similar to a purchase.

IRRRL: often relies on your prior VA loan record; many lenders confirm eligibility electronically instead of collecting new service docs.
Cash‑out refinance: usually requires a fresh COE/entitlement validation, so correcting record issues early matters.
If you don’t have an old COE copy, ask the lender to retrieve it through VA’s portal so the file stays compliant.

Confirm whether your refinance is an IRRRL or cash‑out (documentation expectations differ).
Provide your current loan details and any prior COE you have, then let the lender validate entitlement and exemptions electronically.
If your refinance is time‑sensitive, request the COE early—before you pay for third‑party steps.

Official overview: VA IRRRL (Streamline) program.

Common COE Problems and How to Fix Them

Frequent causes of COE delays

Missing or incomplete service records (especially Guard/Reserve or older service periods).
Name changes or SSN mismatches between VA and DoD records.
Prior VA loans not properly reflected as paid off, assumed, or transferred.
Unclear entitlement history after a short sale, deed‑in‑lieu, or compromise claim.
Duplicate or overlapping COE requests created by switching methods midstream.

Steps that often solve COE issues

Provide a clear DD214 or Statement of Service showing character of service and qualifying time.
Share prior names, prior addresses, and prior VA loan property addresses so your lender can request corrections.
Submit exactly what VA requests for manual review—clean, readable, and complete—rather than restarting repeatedly.
If you’ve paid off a VA loan, be ready with payoff/closing evidence if the COE still shows prior use incorrectly.

When to escalate directly with VA

If your COE is stuck in manual review for an extended period or contains an error underwriting cannot work around, you may need to contact VA directly using the contact information on VA.gov or on your COE.

Be ready to upload or fax documents that clearly show service and prior loan payoff history.
Keep your lender looped in so they can refresh the COE request once VA updates its records.
Do not assume “manual review” equals “ineligible.” Most cases are verification and documentation.

For many borrowers, the fastest path is still to let a VA‑focused lender manage the VA back‑and‑forth while you focus on the purchase or refinance itself.

VA Certificate of Eligibility FAQs

Do I need my COE before I talk to a lender?

No. In most cases a VA‑approved lender can request your COE electronically through VA’s system during pre‑approval. You can speed things up by having your DD214 (Veterans) or a Statement of Service (active duty) ready, but it’s normal to start with the lender.

Is a COE the same as a VA loan approval?

No. A COE confirms VA service eligibility and shows entitlement and funding‑fee status. Lenders still underwrite credit, income, assets, and the property before issuing a final approval.

What’s the fastest way to get a COE?

Usually through a VA‑approved lender’s electronic request (WebLGY). VA.gov can also work quickly when records match. Mail (VA Form 26‑1880) is typically the slower fallback for exceptions or manual review cases.

What documents do I need to apply for a COE?

It depends on status: Veterans commonly use a DD214; active‑duty applicants typically use a signed Statement of Service; Guard/Reserve members often need points statements and separation documents; surviving spouses usually need marriage and death certificates plus VA letters where applicable. Use the checklist above to build a clean packet.

Why can an automated COE pull fail even if I’m eligible?

The most common reasons are missing service segments, unreadable documents, name/SSN mismatches, or unresolved prior VA loan payoff reporting. In many cases, submitting clean supporting records resolves the issue.

What does “available entitlement” or “available guaranty” mean on the COE?

It reflects how much of your VA loan entitlement is currently available for a new loan versus tied up in an existing or prior VA loan. Your lender uses it to determine whether you have full entitlement or remaining entitlement for the next transaction.

My COE shows an old VA loan — what should I do?

Tell your lender immediately. VA’s records may not reflect payoff, assumption, or transfer yet. Lenders typically gather payoff/closing evidence and request an update so entitlement and prior use display correctly before underwriting is finalized.

Does the COE show funding fee exemption?

Often, yes. The COE can indicate whether you are exempt from the VA funding fee. If you believe you’re exempt (commonly tied to service‑connected disability), share your VA award documentation with your lender so the file is disclosed correctly.

Do I need a new COE for an IRRRL or cash-out refinance?

IRRRLs often rely on your existing VA loan record, and lenders may verify entitlement electronically. Cash‑out refinances typically require a full eligibility and entitlement review similar to a purchase. Either way, confirm the COE/entitlement record early to avoid last‑mile delays.

Can I have more than one VA loan at a time?

Sometimes. It depends on remaining entitlement, loan amounts, and occupancy rules. If you still own a VA‑financed home, ask your lender for a remaining entitlement calculation and the documentation needed to keep the transaction compliant.

Educational reference only. Always confirm requirements and forms directly with VA.gov and your VA‑approved lender before submitting applications.

References Used

Talk to a VA lender to pull your COE (fastest)