VA Form 26-1880
Request for a Certificate of Eligibility
You are applying for a VA home loan and your lender cannot automatically obtain your COE through VA's electronic system. Or you want the COE in advance before approaching a lender.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Specialty Benefits
- Estimated time
- 15-20 minutes.
- When to file
- Before or during the mortgage application process. Can also apply online at va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/apply-for-coe-form-26-1880.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-26-1880/
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
Gather before you start
- ▸DD-214 (character of discharge and service dates)
- ▸VA File Number if you have one
- ▸Discharge type and service information
- ▸Contact information for the lender you plan to work with (optional)
Attach with the form
- ▸DD-214 (if not already on file with VA)
- ▸Statement of service if still on active duty
- ▸Points summary (for reservists/National Guard)
Section I - Veteran Identification
Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, DOB, address, phone, VA File NumberPII
Your identifying information. Include VA File Number if you have received VA benefits before - this speeds COE issuance by linking to your existing records.
(legal name, SSN, DOB, address)
Common mistakes
- ×Not knowing the COE can often be obtained by the lender electronically through VA's ACE system in seconds - ask your lender if they can do this before filing a paper form.
- ×Applying for a COE before finding a lender - some veterans get the COE first, but most lenders prefer to handle it directly.
Section II - Military Service
Blocks 7-14Branch, service dates, character of discharge
VA uses this to verify your eligibility for the home loan guaranty. Regular military: minimum 90 days of active duty (wartime) or 181 days (peacetime) with honorable or general discharge. National Guard/Reserve: 6+ years of service OR 90 days of active duty during a qualifying wartime period. Surviving spouse: veteran died in service or from a SC condition.
(DD-214 service dates, branch, discharge type)
Common mistakes
- ×Reserve/Guard members not knowing they may qualify - 6 years of satisfactory service OR qualifying active-duty mobilization.
- ×Veterans with "General (Under Honorable Conditions)" discharge not applying - this discharge generally qualifies for VA home loans.
- ×Not knowing you can use VA loan benefits multiple times as long as entitlement is restored or full entitlement remains.
Authority
- 38 CFR 36.4302 - VA home-loan entitlement calculation.
- 38 USC 3702 - Veteran eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans.
Section III - Restoration of Entitlement (if applicable)
Block 15Request to restore previously-used home loan entitlement
If you previously used VA loan benefits and paid off the loan (sold the home and paid the loan in full, or refinanced to a non-VA loan and paid off the VA loan), you can request restoration of entitlement on this form. Attach proof of payoff: closing disclosure or payoff statement.
e.g., Prior VA loan fully paid off on 03/15/2024 (payoff documentation attached).
Common mistakes
- ×Not knowing you can use VA loans multiple times - entitlement can be restored when prior loan is paid off.
- ×Confusing "second-tier entitlement" with restoration - you can have a second VA loan simultaneously without restoring if you have remaining entitlement.
Section IV - Certification
Blocks 16-17Veteran signature and datePII
Sign and date. Send to your VA Regional Loan Center (RLC) or apply online. COE issuance typically takes 2-3 weeks for paper applications; online is often same-day.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Mailing to the wrong address - VA Regional Loan Centers vary by state; check va.gov for your RLC.
- ×Not knowing the online COE application at va.gov is much faster than paper.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 36.4302 - VA home-loan entitlement calculation.
- 38 USC 3702 - Veteran eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans.