VA Certificate of Eligibility
A VA Certificate of Eligibility is required for any veteran who wishes to apply for a VA Loan. It serves as proof of your military service and determines your eligibility for a VA Home Loan. It also serves other functions, such as those involving:
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- An original determination of eligibility for the home loan benefit
- A request to replace a lost certificate of eligibility
- A request for restoration of the benefit after payment in full of a previous VA home loan
- Issuance of a certificate reflecting a current outstanding loan for refinance purposes
How To Get Your Certificate of Eligibility
The next question that you would probably ask is: ‘How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?’ Thanks to modern technology, you could now get your Certificate of Eligibility in two ways, by using ACE (Automated Certificate of Eligibility) or by requesting it directly from VA.
ACE is a web-based application that is able to determine eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. This can be processed by your lender. However, not all cases can be processed through ACE. If you have insufficient information in the records of the VA, you will have to directly request it from the Veterans Affairs. Here’s how:
- Complete VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits.
- Send the completed VA Form 26-1880 and any supporting evidence to the VA Eligibility Center (P.O. Box 20729 Winston-Salem, NC 27120). Under normal circumstances, a response can be anticipated in roughly 10 days. This time frame may vary during periods of heavy activity.
- Include photocopies of your most recent discharge or separation papers covering active military duty, which show active duty dates and type of discharge. If you served on regular active duty (not a reservist) and were discharged after 1975 or you have previously had a VA loan, it may not be necessary for you to provide documentation of your military service. However, it is best to provide such evidence with your VA Form 26-1880 if it is readily available so as to avoid possible delays in processing your request. Photocopies should suffice. No original documents should be submitted.
- If you are seeking restoration of your previously used benefit, you should include any evidence of payment in full of your prior loan (copy of HUD-1, settlement statement for example) that you have in your possession. Normally VA receives notification that a loan has been paid, but this does not always happen. VA determines your eligibility and, if you are qualified, VA will issue you a certificate of eligibility to be used in applying for a VA loan.
