How do you get a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?

Most VA-experienced lenders can pull your COE electronically in minutes during preapproval. You can also request it yourself through the VA. The checker above shows your likely eligibility path first.

Do I need my COE before house hunting?

No. Any VA-experienced lender can usually pull it electronically during preapproval. Check your likely eligibility first if you are unsure.

Am I eligible if I am a service academy cadet?

Yes. Federal law counts academy time as active duty, and the VA lists cadets and midshipmen as an eligibility category. ROTC is different: that clock starts after commissioning.

Tool · Eligibility

Do you qualify for the VA loan?

A few questions, about two minutes, and we never ask who you are. This walks the same service requirements the VA publishes and tells you what your likely path is, including when the honest answer is “the VA has to decide.”

Question 1 of 3

Which best describes you?

Educational tool only, based on the service requirements published at VA.gov. This is not an eligibility determination. Only your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is. Special cases (early separation for hardship, reduction in force, certain medical separations) can qualify with less service time than shown here.

The requirements, in one table

Who	Minimum service
Currently on active duty	90 continuous days
Service academy cadet or midshipman	Academy time counts as active duty by law; proven with a statement of service. See the cadet guide
Veteran, service on/after Aug 2, 1990	24 continuous months, or the full period called to active duty (at least 90 days)
Veteran, earlier peacetime service	181 continuous days
Veteran, WWII / Korea / Vietnam	90 total days
National Guard	6 creditable years, or 90 cumulative full-time days (30 consecutive), or 90+ days on federal orders
Selected Reserve	6 creditable years, or 90 days of non-training active duty
Surviving spouse	Spouse died in service or from a service-connected cause (generally unremarried; remarriage after age 57 preserves eligibility)

Source: VA.gov — Eligibility for VA home loan programs, checked July 2026. Early separations (hardship, reduction in force, certain medical) can qualify with less time.

Eligible and wondering what it buys you? Run the buying-power calculator.

Common questions

Eligibility and COE questions, answered.

How do you get a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?: Most VA-experienced lenders can pull your COE electronically in minutes during preapproval. You can also request it yourself through the VA. The checker above shows your likely eligibility path first.
Do I need my COE before house hunting?: No. Any VA-experienced lender can usually pull it electronically during preapproval. Check your likely eligibility first if you are unsure.
Am I eligible if I am a service academy cadet?: Yes. Federal law counts academy time as active duty, and the VA lists cadets and midshipmen as an eligibility category. ROTC is different: that clock starts after commissioning. The cadet guide →

Still have a question?

Ask a real person.

A veteran and licensed loan officer reads every message and replies. No sales pitch.

Ask your question →