VA Form 26-1880 Request for Certification of Eligibility (COE)

OMB Control No. 2900-0086
Respondent Burden: 15 minutes
Expiration Date:XX/XX/XXXX

FOR VA USE ONLY

COE REF. NO.

REQUEST FOR A CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY

MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATION TO
THE REGIONAL LOAN CENTER OF
JURISDICTION. SEE PAGE 3 FOR
REGIONAL LOAN CENTER ADDRESSES.

IMPORTANT: For faster processing, VA encourages you to visit www.va.gov for your Certificate of Eligibility, or contact the lender of your choice to submit
an application electronically. In most cases, an eligibility determination can be made instantly.
NOTE: Please read information on page 2 before completing this form. If additional space is required, attach a separate sheet.
A. YOUR IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
1. NAME OF VETERAN/ NAME TO APPEAR ON COE (First, Middle, Last)

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

1A. DID YOU SERVE UNDER ANOTHER NAME?
YES

NO (If "Yes," complete Item 1B)

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

3. EMAIL ADDRESS (If applicable)

4. DATE OF BIRTH

6. SERVICE NUMBER (if applicable)

5. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

8. WERE YOU DISCHARGED, RETIRED, OR SEPARATED FROM SERVICE BECAUSE OF DISABILITY?
YES

7. PHONE NUMBER (Include Area Code)

9. VA CLAIM NUMBER (If applicable)

NO

B. MILITARY SERVICE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROOF OF SERVICE ON THE NEXT PAGE)
10A. ARE YOU CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE DUTY?
YES

NO (If “NO” skip to 11)

10B. ARE YOU A PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT?
YES

10C. DO YOU HAVE A PRE-DISCHARGE CLAIM PENDING WITH VA?

NO

YES

IMPORTANT: Please provide your dates of service. In many
cases eligibility can be established based on data in VA systems.
However, it is recommended that proof of service be provided, if
readily available.

11A. BRANCH OFSERVICE

NO

11D. DATE ENTERED

11F. DATE SEPARATED

11A. ACTIVE SERVICE - Do not include any periods of Active Duty for
Training or Active Guard Reserve service. Do include any Reserve or
Guard Unit activation under Title 10 U.S.C. or full time National Guard
Duty under Title 32 U.S.C. Sections 316, 502, 503, 504 or 505.
11B. RESERVE OR NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE - Include any periods
of Active Duty for Training (ADT) or Active Guard Reserve service. Do
not include any Reserve or Guard unit activation under Title 10 U.S.C.
or Full Time National Guard Duty under Title 32 U.S.C. Sections 316,
502, 503, 504, or 505.

C. PREVIOUS VA LOANS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NEXT PAGE)
12. HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY?
ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY

PURCHASE A HOME

CASH-OUT REFINANCE

INTEREST RATE REDUCTION REFINANCE LOAN

13A. HAVE YOU USED THE VA HOME LOAN PROGRAM BEFORE?
YES

NO (IF NO SKIP TO 18A)

13B. DO YOU STILL OWN ANY OF THE HOMES YOU USED THE VA PROGRAM FOR?
YES

NO (IF NO SKIP TO 18A)

14A. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY

14B. VA LOAN NUMBER

14C. DATE OF LOAN
11. (Month, Year)
11.

11.

14D. ARE YOU APPLYING FOR ENTITLEMENT RESTORATION?
NO, ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY
CASH-OUT REFINANCE RESTORATION
INTEREST RATE REDUCTION REFINANCE
ONE-TIME RESTORATION (Note: Please see instructions)

15A. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY
12.

15B. VA LOAN NUMBER
12.

15C. DATE OF LOAN
12. (Month, Year)
13.

15D. ARE YOU APPLYING FOR ENTITLEMENT RESTORATION?
NO, ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY
CASH-OUT REFINANCE RESTORATION
INTEREST RATE REDUCTION REFINANCE
ONE-TIME RESTORATION (Note: Please see instructions)

16A. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY
13.

16B. VA LOAN NUMBER

16C. DATE OF LOAN
14. (Month, Year)
15.

16D. ARE YOU APPLYING FOR ENTITLEMENT RESTORATION?
NO, ENTITLEMENT INQUIRY ONLY
CASH-OUT REFINANCE RESTORATION
INTEREST RATE REDUCTION REFINANCE
ONE-TIME RESTORATION (Note: Please see instructions)

17A. DO YOU STILL OWN A PROPERTY THAT 14. 17B DATE OF LOAN
WAS FINANCED WITH A VA HOME LOAN THAT 15. (Month, Year)
HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED OR
DESTROTYED BY A FEDERALLY DECLARED
NATURAL DISASTER?
YES
NO

16. 17C DATE OF LOSS
17. (Month, Year)
18.

19. 17D. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY

I CERTIFY THAT the statements in this document are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
18B. DATE SIGNED

18A. SIGNATURE OF VETERAN (Do NOT print)

FEDERAL STATUTES PROVIDE SEVERE PENALTIES FOR FRAUD, INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION, CRIMINAL CONNIVANCE OR CONSPIRACY PURPOSED TO
INFLUENCE THE ISSUANCE OF ANY GUARANTY OR INSURANCE BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (e.g. 18 U.S.C. § 1001, 372 and 287)
VA FORM
XXXXXXX

26-1880

SUPERSEDES VA FORM 26-1880, APR 2021,
WHICH WILL NOT BE USED.

Page 1

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VA FORM 26-1880
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE - VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or
Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses (for example: the authorized release of information to Congress when requested for statistical purposes)
identified in the VA system of records, 55VA26, Loan Guaranty Home, Condominium and Manufactured Home Loan Applicant Records, Specially Adapted Housing
Applicant Records, and Vendee Loan Applicant Records - VA, published in the Federal Register. Your response is required in order to obtain or retain benefits. Giving
us your SSN account information is voluntary. Refusal to provide your SSN by itself will not result in the denial of benefits. VA will not deny an individual benefits for
refusing to provide his or her SSN unless the disclosure of the SSN is required by Federal Statute of law in effect prior to January 1, 1975, and still in effect.
RESPONDENT BURDEN - This information is needed to help determine a veteran's qualifications for a VA guaranteed home loan. Title 38, U.S.C., section
3702, authorizes collection of this information. We estimate that you will need an average of 15 minutes to review the instructions, find the information, and
complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is displayed. You are not required to respond to a
collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can be located on the OMB Internet Page at
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
A. YOUR IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Item 1 - Tell us your complete name, as you would like it to appear on your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). If this name is different than what is reflected on your service
documents or in VA records, provide documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document to support the request. Do not send originals copies
are acceptable.
Item 1A – Indicate if you served under another name.
Item 1B – If you answered yes to 1A, provide the name as it appears on your discharge certificate (DD Form 214).
Item 9 - In most cases, your VA claim number is the same as your Social Security number. If you are not sure of your VA claim number, leave this field blank.
B. MILITARY SERVICE
Item 10A – Indicate if you are currently serving on active duty.
Item 10B - The VA funding fee may not be collected from a member of the Armed Forces who is currently serving on active duty and has been awarded the Purple Heart.
You may be asked to provide evidence of having been awarded the Purple Heart. Note: Activations under Title 32 orders are not considered active duty for the purpose
of a funding fee exemption.
Item 10C – The VA funding fee may not be collected from a Veteran who is rated eligible to receive compensation as the result of a pre-discharge disability examination
and rating or based on a pre-discharge review of existing medical evidence (including service medical and treatment records) that results in the issuance of a memorandum
rating. Note: if the proposed or memorandum rating is not obtained and a closing takes place, the funding fee exemption does not apply, and the Service member will not
be entitled to a refund.
Items 11A-11B – List your periods of military service.
Item 11A – Active Service: full-time duty in the Armed forces, other than active duty for training. The best evidence to show your service is your discharge certificate
(DD Form 214), which indicates both character of service and the narrative reason for separation. A copy is acceptable. Note: Cases involving other than honorable
discharges will usually require further development by VA. This is necessary to determine if the service was under other than dishonorable conditions.
If you are currently serving on regular active duty, eligibility can usually be established based on data in VA systems. However, in some situations you may be asked
to provide a statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. The statement may be
in any format; usually a standard or bulleted memo is sufficient. It should identify you by name and social security number and provide: (1) your date of entry on your
current active-duty period and (2) the duration of any time lost (or a statement noting there has been no lost time). Generally, this should be on military letterhead.
National Guard members who served full time duty (only includes activations considered Full Time National Guard duty that is not inactive duty) under Title 32,
U.S.C. Sections 316, 502, 503, 504 or 505, may provide a DD Form 220, DD Form 214 or Report of Active Service, accompanied by orders for the same period is also
acceptable. Copies are acceptable. If you are still serving on the activation, you should provide a statement of service that indicates (1) your date of entry on your current
active-duty period and (2) the duration of any time lost (or a statement noting there has been no lost time), type of orders, if orders are for training, entry date for your
current activation. Generally, this should be on military letterhead.
Item 11B - National Guard Service/Selected Reserve Service: You may submit for Selected Reserve Service Retirement Points Accounting and evidence of discharge
which indicates the character of service, or their equivalent. For National Guard Service you may submit NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or
NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, or their equivalent. If you are still serving in the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include an original
statement of service signed by, or by the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing your date of entry and
the number of creditable years (years in which you earned more than 15 points). At least 6 years of honorable service must be documented.
C. PREVIOUS LOANS
Your eligibility is reusable depending on the circumstances. Generally, if you have paid off your prior VA loan and no longer own the home, you can have your used
eligibility restored for additional use. Also, on a one-time only basis, you may have your eligibility restored if your prior VA loan has been paid in full, but you still own
the home. Generally, VA receives notification that a loan has been paid. In some instances, it may be necessary to include evidence that a previous VA loan has been paid
in full. Evidence can be in the form of a paid-in-full statement from the former lender, a satisfaction of mortgage from the clerk of court in the county where the home is
located, or a copy of the HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure settlement statement completed in connection with a sale of the home or refinance of the prior loan. Many counties
post public documents such as, (satisfaction of mortgage) online.
Item 12 – Indicate how you will use your certificate of eligibility.
Item 13A – Indicate if you have ever had a VA-guaranteed home loan.
Item 13B – Indicate if you still own any homes you financed with a VA-guaranteed loan.
Item 14D, 15D, 16D – select the applicable type of restoration being requested. Indicate if you are applying for a restoration of entitlement.
Regular (Cash-Out) Refinance. You may refinance your current VA or non-VA loan to pay off the mortgage and/or other liens of record on the home. This type of
refinance requires an appraisal and credit qualifying.
Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL). You may refinance the balance of your current VA loan in order to obtain a lower interest rate or convert a VA
adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed rate. The new loan may not exceed the sum of the outstanding balance on the existing VA loan, plus allowable fees and closing costs,
including the VA funding fee and up to 2 discount points. You may also add up to $6,000 of energy efficiency improvements into the loan.
One-Time Restoration. If you have paid off your VA loan, but still own the home purchased with that loan, you may apply for a one-time only restoration of your
entitlement in order to purchase another home that will be your primary residence. A one-time restoration may only be used one-time per Veteran. Once you have used
your one-time restoration, you must sell all homes before any other entitlement can be restored.
Item 17A. Disaster Related. Indicate if you still own a home that was destroyed or substantially damaged by a Federally Declared Natural Disaster.

VA FORM 26-1880, XXX XXXX

Page 2

If you live in:

Please send your completed application to:

Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee

Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Loan Center
P.O. Box 100023
Decatur, GA 30031-7023
Department of Veterans Affairs
Cleveland Regional Loan Center
1240 East Ninth Street
Cleveland, OH 44199

Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana,
Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont
Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
Oregon, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming

Department of Veterans Affairs
Denver Regional Loan Center
Box 25126
Denver, CO 80225
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
Department of Veterans Affairs
Houston Regional Loan Center
Texas
6900 Almeda Road
Houston, TX 77030-4200
Arizona, California, New Mexico,
Department of Veterans Affairs
Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Phoenix Regional Loan Center
Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern 3333 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012-2402
Marianas
District of Columbia, Kentucky,
Department of Veterans Affairs
Maryland
Roanoke Regional Loan Center
Virginia, West Virginia
210 Franklin Road, S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24011
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,
Department of Veterans Affairs
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, St. Paul Regional Loan Center
South Dakota, Wisconsin
1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling
St. Paul, MN 55111-4050
Alabama, Florida, Mississippi,
Department of Veterans Affairs
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Petersburg Regional Loan Center
9500 Bay Pines Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33744

VA FORM 26-1880, XXX XXXX

Page 3