Tips & Special Topics
Obtaining a COE with VA Form 26-1880
Added July 28, 2010 | Updated June 21, 2011
Many potential VA borrowers ask about the VA Form 26-1880. Is it necessary in the VA loan process? And, how is it obtained?
The VA Form 26-1880 is a document that is used to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE is a required early step in getting a VA home loan. Veterans, Active Duty, Reservists and National Guard members can obtain a COE three of the following ways.
1. Online: computer-savvy borrowers may visit the Veterans Information Portal, click on User Registration and follow instructions for obtaining a COE
2. Lender: loan officers can often instantly access a potential borrower’s COE online when provided with the serviceperson’s evidence of eligibility
3. Mail: borrowers who prefer traditional pen-and-ink forms may complete VA Form 26-1880 and mail it to the VA Winston-Salem Eligibility Office (surviving spouses must use VA Form 26-1817 and may only use the mail option).
The online database that lenders and veterans use to quickly obtain COEs is called webLGY. If a borrower or VA lender is not able to obtain a serviceperson’s COE through webLGY, then VA Form 26-1880 must be used. Some VA loan professionals may ask their borrowers to fill out the form anyway even before utilizing webLGY, since much of the information on the form will be required during the VA loan application process. The form is processed at the Winston-Salem VA Office of Eligibility and can take about two weeks, although the timeframe may be reduced when utilizing a VA home loan specialist.
An electronic version of the form can be completed and submitted through the webLGY system. This is a recent improvement to the VA COE process. For those who prefer U.S. mail, a blank VA form 26-1880 can also be obtained through a VA loan professional, or downloaded in PDF format at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/26-1880(3-11).pdf.
The electronic and paper forms both request the same information, and servicepersons must answer the questions completely and accurately. Knowing what information is required for VA form 26-1880 can help borrowers complete it properly. Many of the questions on the form are self explanatory. The basic information being requested is:
1. Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Daytime Telephone Number
4. Address and Email
5. Mailing Address
6. Military Service Data
7. Disability information
8. Previous VA loan information
9. Signature
10. Date signed
Steps 1 - 5 request personal information. The veteran’s name must be entered exactly as it appears in the military registration. Date of birth should include the month, day and year born. Daytime telephone number should be the best number reachable during business hours. The space in 4a for address is small, but must contain house number and street name (or rural route) or P.O. Box number, city, state and zip. The veteran need only enter email address in 4b if he or she uses one. The email address may be used by the VA as a second way to contact the veteran about questions and further information if needed. The VA will send the official COE to the address specified by the applicant. A mailing address would be entered in 5 only if it is different than the address already provided in 4a.
Step number 6 is a table for military service information. The VA needs accurate information in order to determine eligibility. Periods of active service must match military records. And, the name entered here must be the same as on separation papers or Statement of Service. Please note: Military member must also attach proof of service. This can include a clean copy of form DD214 discharge papers for veterans or statement of service from personnel office or commanding officer for active duty service members. In some instances, it is possible to receive eligibility without proof of service, but all attempts to provide proof should be made to avoid delays. If the veteran’s social security number is different than the service number, both are required. The final column in this table requests branch of service. It should be indicated here if the veteran served for a reserve branch, for instance Army Reserve.
Step 7 pertains to servicepersons with disabilities. VA loan fees may be waived for those with service-connected disabilities.
Step 8 is a table for prior VA loan information. The VA requests that applicants answer “N/A” if no previous use of VA home loan benefits took place. The applicant should not leave this section blank. If the applicant did use the VA loan benefit before, then all the information here will be used to determine whether or not entitlement has been restored.
Steps 9 and 10 request the applicant’s signature and the date that the document was completed. The remaining space on the form must be left blank for VA use.
A completed VA 26-1880 form must be sent to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
For more information about how to obtain and correctly complete VA form 26-1880 to request a COE, be sure to contact an experienced VA loan professional.
