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VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility

VA Form 26-1880 requests your Certificate of Eligibility, the document that proves to a mortgage lender that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit.

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What is VA Form 26-1880?

Before a lender can close a VA-backed mortgage, it needs your Certificate of Eligibility, or COE. The COE confirms you have qualifying military service and shows how much loan entitlement you have available. Form 26-1880 is the paper request; the same request can be made online through va.gov, and many lenders can pull a COE almost instantly through VA's systems.

The form collects your service history and asks about previous VA loans, since prior use of the benefit affects your remaining entitlement. Veterans typically support the request with a DD214; active-duty service members use a statement of service signed by their command. Surviving spouses generally use a different form, VA Form 26-1817, so check which applies before filing.

Who files VA Form 26-1880?

Veterans with qualifying active service who want to buy, build, or refinance a home with a VA loan
Active-duty service members who meet the minimum service requirements
Current and former National Guard and Reserve members with qualifying service
Veterans seeking restoration of entitlement after selling a home and paying off a prior VA loan

How to fill out VA Form 26-1880

Gather proof of service: your DD214 if separated, or a statement of service from your command if still serving.
Complete your identifying details and list each period of service.
Answer the questions about previous VA loans, including any you have paid off, so VA can calculate or restore your entitlement.
Sign and date the request.
Apply online at va.gov for the fastest result, ask your lender to request the COE electronically, or mail the form and evidence to the address in the current instructions.

Quick fill VA Form 26-1880 on this page

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Page 1 46 fields

Read Important information and Note above. SECTION 1: VETERAN'S IDENTIFYING INFORMATION. 1. NAME OF VETERAN TO APPEAR ON C O E (First,

3. CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS (Number and street or rural route, city or P. O., State and ZIP Code).

9. B. V. A. CLAIM NUMBER (If known).

FOR V. A. USE ONLY. C. O. E. REFERENCE NUMBER.

9. A. WERE YOU DISCHARGED, RETIRED, OR SEPARATED FROM SERVICE BECAUSE OF DISABILITY? YES. (If "Yes," complete Item 9. B.).

2. A. DID YOU SERVE UNDER ANOTHER NAME? YES (If "Yes," complete Item 2. B.).

2. B. OTHER NAME(S) USED DURING MILITARY SERVICE (If different from name shown in Item 1).

SECTION 2: MILITARY SERVICE INFORMATION (See Instructions For Proof of Service on Page 3). 10. A. ARE YOU CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE DUTY? YES.

10. B. ARE YOU A PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT? YES. (If "Yes," see instructions, page 3).

10. C. DO YOU HAVE A PRE-DISCHARGE CLAIM PENDING WITH V. A.? YES. (If "Yes," see instructions, page 3).

13. A. HAVE YOU USED THE V. A. HOME LOAN PROGRAM BEFORE? YES (If "Yes," complete Item 13. B.).

13. B. DO YOU STILL OWN ANY OF THE HOMES YOU USED THE V. A. HOME LOAN PROGRAM FOR? YES (If "Yes," complete Items 14. A. thru 16. D. if

PREVIOUS V. A. LOANS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 3 - If additional space is needed for all homes use Item 18, Remarks or attach a separate

14. B. LOAN NUMBER.

14. D. ARE YOU APPLYING FOR ENTITLEMENT RESTORATION? NO, ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY.

4. DATE OF BIRTH. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year.

5. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. Enter 9 digit social security number.

6. SERVICE NUMBER (If applicable).

7. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include Area Code).

8. EMAIL ADDRESS (If applicable).

Read Important information above. 11. A. ACTIVE SERVICE - Do not include any periods of Active Duty for Training or Active Guard Reserve

11. A. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 1 of 4.

11. A. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 1 of 4.

11. A. BRANCH OF SERVICE. Line 2 of 4.

11. A. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 2 of 4.

11. A. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 2 of 4.

11. A. BRANCH OF SERVICE. Line 3 of 4.

11. A. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 3 of 4.

11. A. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 3 of 4.

11. A. BRANCH OF SERVICE. Line 4 of 4.

11. A. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 4 of 4.

11. A. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 4 of 4.

11. B. RESERVE OR NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE - Include any periods of Active Duty for Training (A. D. T.) or Active Guard Reserve service. Do

11. B. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 1 of 4.

11. B. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 1 of 4.

11. B. BRANCH OF SERVICE. Line 2 of 4.

11. B. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 2 of 4.

11. B. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 2 of 4.

11. B. BRANCH OF SERVICE. Line 3 of 4.

11. B. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 3 of 4.

11. B. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 3 of 4.

11. B. BRANCH OF SERVICE. Line 4 of 4.

11. B. DATE ENTERED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 4 of 4.

11. B. DATE SEPARATED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year. Line 4 of 4.

SECTION 3: INFORMATION REGARDING PREVIOUS V. A. LOANS (See Instructions on Page 3). 12. INDICATE HOW YOU WILL USE YOUR CERTIFICATE OF

14. C. DATE OF LOAN (Month and Year). Enter 2 digit month and 4 digit year.

Page 2 14 fields

17. A. DO YOU STILL OWN A PROPERTY THAT WAS FINANCED WITH A V. A. HOME LOAN THAT HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED BY A FEDERALLY

15. A. COMPLETE ADDRESS.

15. B. LOAN NUMBER.

15. D. ARE YOU APPLYING FOR ENTITLEMENT RESTORATION? NO, ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY.

15. C. DATE OF LOAN (Month and Year). Enter 2 digit month and 4 digit year.

16. A. COMPLETE ADDRESS.

16. B. LOAN NUMBER.

16. D. ARE YOU APPLYING FOR ENTITLEMENT RESTORATION? NO, ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY.

16. C. DATE OF LOAN (Month and Year). Enter 2 digit month and 4 digit year.

17. B. DATE OF LOAN (Month and Year). Enter 2 digit month and 4 digit year.

17. C. DATE OF LOSS (Month and Year). Enter 2 digit month and 4 digit year.

17. D. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY.

18. REMARKS (If any).

19. B. DATE SIGNED. Enter 2 digit month, 2 digit day and 4 digit year.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use this paper form to get a COE?

No. Most people get a COE faster by applying online through va.gov or by having their lender request it through VA's automated system. The paper form is useful when records are incomplete or your situation needs manual review.

Can I get a COE if I already used my VA loan benefit?

Often yes. Entitlement can be restored after you sell the home and pay the loan in full, and remaining entitlement may allow another loan even without full restoration. Report your prior loans on the form so VA can work out what you have left.

Does the COE guarantee I will get a mortgage?

No. It proves you meet VA's service eligibility, but the lender still underwrites your income, credit, and the property. Think of the COE as the ticket that lets a lender consider you for a VA loan.

VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility

What is VA Form 26-1880?

Who files VA Form 26-1880?

How to fill out VA Form 26-1880

Quick fill VA Form 26-1880 on this page

Frequently asked questions

Related forms

VA Form 26-1820, Report and Certification of Loan Disbursement

VA Form 26-8937, Verification of VA Benefits

VA Form 26-6381, Application for Assumption Approval and/or Release from Personal Liability to the Government on a Home Loan