Everything You Need to Know About Your VA Certificate of Eligibility: Unveiling the Gateway to Your Dream Home

Checking your VA COE status online is easy.  The easiest way is on the VA's site here . 

• If you're a veteran you need a copy of your DD214

• If you’re an active-duty service member, you’ll need a statement of service—signed by your commander, adjutant, or personnel officer—showing this information:

  • Your full name
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your date of birth
  • The date you entered duty
  • The duration of any lost time
  • The name of the command providing the information

• If you’re a current or former activated National Guard member, you’ll need a copy of your DD214. 

  If you’re a current or former activated National Guard member with at least 90 days of active-duty service including at least 30 consecutive days, you’ll need a copy of 1 of these documents that shows your activation date:

  • Your DD214 that shows 32 USC sections 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 activation, or
  • An annual point statement, or
  • Your DD220 with accompanying orders
• Reserve members need their DD214
• For National Guard members never activated the information required varies. Click here to visit the VA's website for more info. 

Short answer, no. Your VA COE is shows the proof of your eligibility for a VA home loan. So if a veteran does not have proof they are eligible for the VA home loan benefit, then a lender cannot complete the VA loan. Any experienced VA lender can pull a veteran or member's COE, but if the VA's website and/or the VA is unable to provide the COE then the bank has no way of determining the veteran/member's eligibility. 

Receiving the VA COE should be nearly instantaneous. However, older veterans (usually prior to 1981) sometimes have longer wait times for their VA COE. Occasionally, it can take a week or so for older veterans to receive their Certificate of Eligibility. 

A VA COE application should never be denied. Sometimes there may be a request for more information, other times the COE isn't provided because the service member/veteran doesn't meet the criteria. This isn't necessarily a denial. However, if you feel the VA has made a mistake or want to appeal your discharge the VA provides info here .