Eligibility requirements for VA home loan programs
Learn about VA home loan eligibility requirements for a VA direct or VA-backed loan. Find out how to request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to show your lender that you qualify based on your service history and duty status. Keep in mind that for a VA-backed home loan, you’ll also need to meet your lender’s credit and income loan requirements to receive financing.
Can I get a Certificate of Eligibility for a VA direct or VA-backed home loan?
You may be able to get a COE if you didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge and you meet the minimum active-duty service requirement based on when you served.
When did you serve? | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: | ||
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When did you serve? | Between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947 (WWII) | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? | Between July 26, 1947, and June 26, 1950 (post-WWII period) | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? | Between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955 (Korean War) | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? | Between February 1, 1955, and August 4, 1964 (post-Korean War period) | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? |
Between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War), or Between November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, if you served in the Republic of Vietnam |
You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? |
Between May 8, 1975, and September 7, 1980 (post-Vietnam War period), or Between May 8, 1975, and October 16, 1981, if you served as an officer |
You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? |
Between September 8, 1980, and August 1, 1990, or Between October 17, 1981, and August 1, 1990, if you served as an officer |
You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? | Between August 2, 1990, and the present (Gulf War period to present) | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? | I’m on active duty now | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: | 90 continuous days |
When did you serve? | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: | ||
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When did you serve? |
Between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998 (Gulf War), or Between November 12, 1998, and the present (post-Gulf War period) |
You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: | 90 days of active-duty service |
When did you serve? | Any time period | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
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When did you serve? | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: | ||
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When did you serve? |
Between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998 (Gulf War), or Between November 12, 1998, and the present (post-Gulf War period) |
You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: | 90 days of active-duty service |
When did you serve? | Any time period | You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for at least this amount of time: |
At least 90 days of non-training active-duty service, or 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve, and one of these descriptions is true for you At least one of these must be true:
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How do I request my COE?
You can request a COE online right now.
What if I don’t meet the minimum service requirements?
You may still be able to get a COE if you were discharged for one of the reasons listed.
You must have been discharged for one of these reasons:
- Hardship, or
- The convenience of the government (you must have served at least 20 months of a 2-year enlistment), or
- Early out (you must have served 21 months of a 2-year enlistment), or
- Reduction in force, or
- Certain medical conditions, or
- A service-connected disability (a disability related to your military service)
What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?
If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA benefits.
There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:
Find out how to apply for a discharge upgrade
Learn about the VA Character of Discharge review process
Can I get a COE as the spouse of a Veteran?
You may be able to get a COE if you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran or the spouse of a Veteran who's missing in action or being held as a prisoner of war (POW).
Find out how to request a COE as a surviving spouse
Can I get a COE in any other situations?
You may be able to get a COE if you meet at least one of these requirements.
At least one of these must be true:
- You’re a U.S. citizen who served in the Armed Forces of a government allied with the United States in World War II, or
- You served as a member in certain organizations
These roles in organizations can include:
- Public Health Service officer
- Cadet at the United States Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academy
- Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy
- Officer of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
- Merchant seaman during World War II
Can I use a COE I used before?
You may be able to “restore” an entitlement you used in the past to buy another home with a VA direct or VA-backed loan if you meet at least one of these requirements.
At least one of these must be true:
- You’ve sold the home you bought with the prior loan and have paid that loan in full, or
- A qualified Veteran-transferee agrees to assume your loan and substitute their entitlement for the same amount of entitlement you used originally, or
- You’ve repaid your prior loan in full, but haven’t sold the home you bought with that loan (you can only do this one time)
To request an entitlement restoration, fill out a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880) and send it to the VA regional loan center for your state.
Get VA Form 26-1880 to download
Find your state’s VA regional loan center
What if I have questions about my eligibility?
If you have any questions about your eligibility for a VA home loan, please call your VA regional loan center at 877-827-3702. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.