Service Requirements
who qualifies and what proof lenders need
VA Loan Service Requirements and COE Proof
VA eligibility rules
How to request a COE
Guard and Reserve eligibility
Surviving spouse eligibility
VA loan eligibility starts with service, then gets proven with a Certificate of Eligibility. The exact service threshold depends on when you served and whether you are Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, a Veteran, or a surviving spouse. The fastest approvals happen when you match your status to the correct rule and upload the right proof on day one.
Active duty and Veterans, the core rule set
- Active duty baseline: Many Active Duty members qualify once they meet the VA minimum service requirement for their period of service.
- Modern Veterans rule: For many Gulf War era to present Veterans, VA looks for 24 continuous months, or the full period called to Active Duty.
- Discharge matters: Eligibility typically requires service under conditions other than dishonorable, with certain exceptions for disability separations.
- COE confirms it: Even when you are sure you qualify, the COE is what lenders use to validate eligibility and entitlement.
Guard and Reserve, three common ways to qualify
- Six creditable years: Many qualify with six creditable years in the Selected Reserve or National Guard and an eligible discharge or status.
- Title 10 orders: Federal Active Duty service can qualify when the minimum day count is met under VA rules.
- Title 32 eligibility: Some full time Title 32 activations can qualify when total duty is at least 90 days and at least 30 days were consecutive.
- Disability discharge: A service connected disability discharge can qualify with shorter service, depending on documentation and VA review.
Surviving spouse eligibility, what VA looks for
- Service connected death: Surviving spouses may qualify if the service member died while serving or from service connected causes.
- Remarriage rules apply: Remarriage can end eligibility, with specific exceptions tied to age and timing that VA lists in its guidance.
- MIA or POW cases: Some eligibility exists for spouses of members listed as missing in action or prisoners of war under VA rules.
- COE still required: Surviving spouses also need a COE, often using different VA forms and supporting documents.
Critical documents and shorter service exceptions
- Veterans proof: A DD Form 214 is the most common proof for Veterans and is often enough to support a COE request.
- Active Duty proof: A Statement of Service signed by command or personnel replaces a DD214 for current members.
- Guard and Reserve proof: Common documents include NGB 22, NGB 23, or a retirement points statement, plus activation documents when applicable.
- Shorter service exceptions: VA may allow eligibility with less time for qualifying reasons like a service connected disability discharge or specific separation categories.
FAQs
How many days do you need to qualify for a VA loan?
What documents do I need to prove VA loan eligibility?
Can Guard or Reserve Title 32 service qualify for a VA loan?
VA service eligibility is simple on paper, but lenders see delays and denials when borrowers guess their status, bring the wrong documents, or wait to pull the COE until they are already under contract. In 2026, the cleanest path is treating eligibility as a documentation exercise: identify your service lane, gather the right proof, and let the lender pull a COE before you shop aggressively.
What Are the 2026 VA Loan Service Requirements?
Service requirements depend on your status and service history, and the VA sets different minimum thresholds for active duty, Veterans, Guard, Reserve, and surviving spouses. Underwriting only treats you as eligible when your COE and supporting service documents match. Use the table below to identify your lane, then gather the right proof before you write offers.
- Eligibility is not a vibe check, it is a documentation check. The fastest approvals happen when your service lane is identified early and your proof documents are ready before the lender orders appraisal or issues a final preapproval.
- The minimum service number is only one gate. Lenders also verify character of service and the reason for separation when service is shorter, because certain discharge reasons qualify and others do not for VA home loan purposes.
- Guard and Reserve files fail most often on proof, not time. Missing points statements, wrong order types, or incomplete NGB documents create administrative delays that look like denials until the correct paperwork is uploaded.
- Choose your lane first, active duty, Veteran, Guard, Reserve, or surviving spouse, because the required proof set changes immediately and using the wrong packet forces a restart in eligibility review.
- Confirm your minimum threshold, then confirm you can prove it, because lenders can only close what they can document and an unclear service record will stall the COE even if you actually qualify.
- Ask the lender to pull the COE before you tour homes, because discovering partial entitlement or missing service proof after you sign a contract is the fastest way to lose earnest money and timelines.
| Applicant Status | Typical Minimum Service Threshold | Most Common Proof for COE | Common Underwriting Tripwire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active duty | Usually 90 continuous days | Statement of Service plus current LES | ETS within 12 months without continuation proof |
| Veteran, Gulf War era to present | Typically 24 continuous months or the full period ordered, often at least 90 days | DD214 showing character of service and dates | Missing DD214 pages or unclear discharge narrative |
| National Guard or Reserve | Six creditable years or qualifying Title 10 or Title 32 active service | NGB forms or points statement and qualifying orders | Wrong order authority or incomplete points proof |
| Surviving spouse | Eligibility based on the Veteran’s service and death status | Marriage proof and VA eligibility determination for spouse COE | Remarriage timing rules and missing death documentation |
Check Your VA Loan Eligibility for 2026
The first step toward your VA loan is confirming you meet the basic service requirements. For an instant estimate, use the eligibility calculator on the right. For a detailed breakdown of the guidelines, review the criteria below.
- Veterans: You must have met minimum active-duty service requirements, which are typically 90 consecutive days during wartime or 181 days during peacetime. Your discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Active-Duty Service Members: You are generally eligible after serving 90 continuous days on active duty.
- National Guard & Reserve Members: Eligibility typically requires six years of service. However, if called to active duty during wartime, you may qualify after just 90 days.
- Surviving Spouses: You may be eligible if you are the spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability.
VA Loan Eligibility Calculator
How Do Active Duty Service Members Qualify for a VA Loan?
Active duty members are typically eligible after 90 continuous days, and you prove it with a Statement of Service instead of a DD214. Lenders qualify your income from your LES and confirm your ETS timeline supports income continuity. If you handle these items early, your file moves like a standard purchase instead of a special case.
- Your Statement of Service must be complete and current, because missing identifiers or an incorrect entry date forces a correction cycle that delays COE issuance and pushes your contract into extension territory.
- Your LES is not just pay verification, it is continuity verification. Underwriters use it to confirm base pay, allowances, and ETS timing, and any mismatches create conditions that can pause underwriting.
- Active duty approvals are often lost on last week changes, not on service time. New debt, job changes through spouse income, or unexplained deposits can trigger a reunderwrite that breaks DTI or residual income.
- Request a Statement of Service on official letterhead and verify every required field, because underwriters will not guess your status and missing items trigger a second request that burns time.
- Submit the most recent LES and confirm your pay lines are stable, because lenders qualify on what is recurring and documented, not on a single month spike from temporary pays.
- If your ETS is close, prepare continuation proof early, extension or reenlistment intent or a credible civilian offer, because ETS conditions become the slowest condition when they appear late.
What Service Rules Apply to Veterans From the Gulf War Era to Present?
Most Gulf War era to present Veterans qualify with 24 continuous months of service or the full period they were called to active duty, often at least 90 days. Your DD214 is the underwriting anchor because it shows dates and character of service. The lender’s job is verifying the record matches VA eligibility and the COE reflects it correctly.
- Length of service is evaluated as a requirement and as a proof problem. Underwriters need the correct DD214 pages and dates, because missing pages can delay the COE even when your service meets the rule.
- The full period ordered concept matters for shorter activations. If you were ordered for a specific period and completed it, that completion can satisfy eligibility even when total months are under 24.
- Character of service must be acceptable. A lender can have a strong borrower file, but if the DD214 shows an ineligible discharge status, the loan cannot proceed until eligibility is clarified or corrected.
- Pull your DD214 and confirm it includes service dates, character of service, and any separation codes that affect eligibility, because lenders need the full picture, not a partial copy.
- If you have multiple periods of service, list them clearly, because combining periods incorrectly is a common COE delay, and a clean timeline helps the lender validate eligibility faster.
- Have the lender pull the COE early and verify it matches your DD214, because COE mismatches are fixable but can cost weeks if discovered after you are already under contract.
Do National Guard and Reserve Members Qualify Under Title 10 or Title 32?
Yes, Guard and Reserve members can qualify through six creditable years or through certain qualifying active service under Title 10 or Title 32. The most common failure is proving the correct order authority and duration, not the service itself. If you bring the right orders and points evidence, the COE process is much smoother.
- Six creditable years in the Selected Reserve or National Guard can qualify, but lenders need credible proof such as a points statement or NGB documentation, not a verbal confirmation or a unit roster.
- Qualifying active service under Title 10 is usually straightforward when orders show nontraining activation, while Title 32 eligibility depends on the specific statutory sections and minimum consecutive day requirements.
- Still serving versus discharged changes the proof set. If you are still in service, lenders often need an original statement of service or points verification, while discharged members may need separation forms and character of service proof.
- Gather your points statement and identify whether you meet six creditable years, because that is the cleanest eligibility path when you do not have qualifying active duty orders in hand.
- Collect your Title 10 or Title 32 orders and ensure the authority and dates are visible, because the order type and consecutive days are what underwriting uses to validate active service eligibility.
- Submit the Guard or Reserve proof as a single packet, points statement plus NGB forms plus orders, because fragmented submissions cause multiple follow ups and slow the COE review cycle.
VA Form 26 1880 Proof of Service Examples Including NGB Form 22 and NGB Form 23
VA Loan Resources
- Complete VA Loan Guide – Eligibility, core benefits, and how VA mortgages work.
- VA Loan Requirements – Credit, income, and service rules you need to qualify.
- VA Funding Fee Explained – Rates, exemptions, and how to roll it into your loan.
- VA Loan Closing Costs – Typical fees and how sellers can help pay them.
- VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) – What homes must have to pass the VA appraisal.
- Compare 2–3 VA Lenders – Get personalized rate quotes from vetted VA-approved lenders.
How Can Surviving Spouses Qualify for VA Home Loan Benefits?
Surviving spouses may qualify for a VA home loan based on the Veteran’s service and death status, and remarriage rules can affect eligibility. The lender cannot assume eligibility, so the spouse must obtain a COE in their own name with supporting documents. The clean path is proving relationship, qualifying status, and current eligibility before shopping properties.
- Eligibility commonly hinges on whether the Veteran died in service or from a service connected disability, or met other VA qualifying circumstances, which is why the spouse COE is the only reliable underwriting baseline.
- Remarriage timing matters more than most people expect. Eligibility can be lost with remarriage in many cases, while certain remarriage ages and dates can preserve eligibility, so exact facts must be documented.
- Underwriting still applies like any other borrower. Even when eligible, the surviving spouse must qualify on income and debts, and the property must meet VA standards, so eligibility is the first gate, not the only gate.
- Assemble relationship and status documents early, marriage proof and the Veteran’s death documentation, because missing vital records is the most common reason surviving spouse COE requests stall.
- Confirm remarriage status and timing before you apply, because incorrect assumptions here lead to denials that are procedural, not financial, and they can waste inspection and appraisal money.
- Request the spouse COE before you write offers, because a clean COE makes your preapproval credible and prevents last minute eligibility questions from delaying contract deadlines.
VA Home Loans for Surviving Spouses Eligibility Rules and Remarriage Exceptions
What Documents Do You Need to Prove Service and Get a COE?
You need a Certificate of Eligibility for the lender to close a VA loan, and the proof documents depend on your service lane. Veterans usually use a DD214, active duty uses a Statement of Service, and Guard and Reserve often use NGB forms or points statements. A complete packet on day one prevents COE delays that can weaken offers and miss closing dates.
- DD214 submission must be complete, including the pages that show character of service and dates. Partial uploads are one of the most common reasons a COE request gets paused for additional evidence.
- Active duty documentation must be current. A Statement of Service and current LES are expected to match, and mismatched ranks, entry dates, or commands often trigger a correction request that delays eligibility verification.
- Guard and Reserve documentation must prove either qualifying service time or qualifying orders. Points statements, NGB forms, and relevant orders should be provided together so the reviewer can confirm the correct eligibility path quickly.
- Pick the COE request method that fits your timeline, lender pull, online request, or mail, because lender pull is often fastest while mail can be slower but still workable when planned early.
- Upload full documents with all pages and clear names, because eligibility review is an audit process and missing pages or unclear scans create follow up requests that can push you past contract deadlines.
- Save the COE and the supporting proof in one folder, because you may need to refresh the COE later and reusing clean documents prevents a second round of administrative delays.
How to Request a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility
Which Exceptions Allow Eligibility With Shorter Service?
Yes, you can qualify with shorter service when the separation reason meets VA eligibility exceptions, such as discharge for a service connected disability. Underwriters do not guess here, they must document the reason in the service record and align it to the COE decision. If you think you are an exception case, treat proof gathering as the critical path.
- Service connected disability separation can qualify without meeting the usual minimum time, but the record must clearly support the reason, and mismatched narratives can cause COE delays until corrected.
- Hardship, convenience of the government, reduction in force, and certain medical separations can create eligibility with shorter service, but lenders still need the DD214 narrative and supporting evidence to document the exception properly.
- Exception cases are vulnerable to documentation gaps. If the discharge paperwork is incomplete or coded ambiguously, underwriting can stall until the record is clarified, so early document review matters more than credit score.
- Review your DD214 separation narrative and codes and compare them to your understanding of why you separated, because the written record controls eligibility, not a personal explanation.
- If your exception depends on disability status, bring your VA rating or award documentation into the file early, because it can support a clean eligibility determination when service time is short.
- Have the lender pull the COE early and be prepared to upload additional evidence, because exception based eligibility is commonly resolved through supplemental documents rather than a single automatic system match.
How Do You Prevent COE Errors and Administrative Denials?
Most COE delays come from missing pages, mismatched names, incorrect service dates, or incomplete Guard and Reserve proof. The fix is a complete submission and active tracking, not repeated resubmissions. When you treat the COE like a checklist item and monitor status, you prevent eligibility issues from becoming a contract crisis.
- Name mismatches and incomplete uploads create the most delays. If your records show different last names or missing DD214 pages, the COE request will pause until the identity and service details are reconciled.
- Guard and Reserve files commonly stall on missing points statements or wrong orders. The reviewer needs to see the authority and the dates, and unclear documentation forces manual review that adds time.
- Status tracking matters because COE review is not always instant. If the VA asks for more documents, responding quickly keeps the file moving and prevents your lender from issuing a weak preapproval letter.
- Run a pre submission audit, names match, dates match, all pages included, because catching these errors before upload is faster than fixing them after the reviewer pauses the request.
- Upload supporting documents immediately when requested, because eligibility teams often need one missing proof item, and delays usually happen when borrowers wait days to respond.
- Have your lender re pull the COE after updates post, because an old COE can keep showing unresolved status and confuse underwriting even after you submitted the correct evidence.
Check the Status of Your VA Home Loan COE Request
The Bottom Line
VA loan service eligibility in 2026 is not about guessing a day count, it is about proving the right lane with the right documents. Active duty borrowers usually clear the gate with 90 continuous days plus a clean Statement of Service and LES.
Veterans typically rely on a complete DD214 that shows dates and character of service. Guard and Reserve borrowers must prove either six creditable years or qualifying orders, and that proof is where most delays happen.
Surviving spouses can qualify, but eligibility hinges on documented status and remarriage rules, so a spouse COE must be obtained before shopping. If your service was shorter due to a qualifying separation, treat exception proof as the critical path. Pull the COE early, submit complete documents, and track status so eligibility never becomes the reason you lose a contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days of active duty do I need to qualify for a VA loan?
Many active duty Service Members can qualify after 90 continuous days. Your lender will verify eligibility through a Statement of Service and a COE. Final approval still depends on income, debts, and a primary residence occupancy plan.
Can I qualify for a VA loan without a DD214?
Yes, if you are currently on active duty. You typically use a Statement of Service instead of a DD214. The lender can then pull your COE and use your LES to verify income and ETS timing.
What does the 24 month service rule mean for VA loans?
For many Veterans in the Gulf War era to present, eligibility is tied to 24 continuous months or the full period you were ordered to active duty. Your DD214 is used to document the exact dates and character of service.
Do National Guard members qualify for VA loans with Title 32 orders?
Sometimes. Eligibility can apply with certain Title 32 activations when the orders meet specific authority requirements and consecutive day thresholds. Your lender will need the actual orders and supporting service documentation to confirm the lane.
How do Reservists qualify for a VA home loan?
Many Reservists qualify with six creditable years of service or with qualifying active duty orders. You usually document this with a points statement or NGB forms and orders. A lender pulls the COE after reviewing the proof.
Can a surviving spouse get a VA loan after remarriage?
It depends on the timing and age at remarriage. Some remarriage scenarios preserve eligibility while others end it. A surviving spouse should request a COE and confirm eligibility status before house hunting or signing a contract.
What documents do I need to get a VA Certificate of Eligibility?
Veterans commonly need a DD214. Active duty borrowers use a Statement of Service. Guard and Reserve borrowers often provide points statements or NGB forms and orders. Submitting complete documents with all pages prevents delays.
Can I qualify with less service if I was medically discharged?
Possibly. Certain discharge reasons, including service connected disability separations, can create eligibility with shorter service. The key is documenting the reason in official records and having the COE reflect the correct eligibility determination.
Why is my COE taking so long to get approved?
Most delays come from missing pages, name mismatches, incomplete Guard or Reserve proof, or service dates that do not match the submitted documents. Track the request status, upload requested documents quickly, and have the lender re pull the COE.
Can a lender deny me even if I meet the service requirement?
Yes. Meeting service requirements only confirms VA eligibility. You still must qualify on credit, income stability, debts, and residual cash flow, and the property must meet VA standards. Eligibility is the first gate, not the only gate.