VALoans.com belongs to the Mortgage Research Center, LLC, ("MRC") Network. MRC is a private company that provides mortgage information and connects homebuyers with lenders. Neither VALoans.com nor MRC are endorsed by, sponsored by or affiliated with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other government agency. MRC receives compensation for providing marketing services to a select group of companies involved in helping consumers find, buy or refinance homes. If you submit your information on this site, one or more of these companies will contact you with additional information regarding your request. For a full list of these companies click here. By submitting your information you agree MRC can provide your information to one of these companies, who will then contact you. MRC does not guarantee that you will be eligible for a loan through the VA loan program. VALoans.com will not charge, seek or accept fees of any kind from you. VALoans.com does not offer mortgage products and if you are connected to a lender through VALoans.com, specific terms and conditions from that lender will apply.
A VA approved lender can use an online program called ACE - the Automated Certificate of Eligibility - to get you started in the VA loan process. Unfortunately, the automated system won't work for everyone. Some people don't have enough information in the ACE database, and are required to fill out a VA Form 22-1880, commonly referred to as a Request for Certificate of Eligibility. If this applies to you, simply fill out the form and mail it to your regional Eligibility Center along with supporting paperwork including a copy of the DD-214 discharge paperwork.
Don't send originals of the DD214, a photocopy will do. The certificate of eligibility process can be tricky for veterans who were separated from the military with a discharge other than honorable. In this case the VA must investigate the discharge to insure it was not classified as dishonorable. People who fall into this category should seek help from their local VA office, especially if you need to file an appeal to the results of your request of eligibility.
MORE: Learn more about how to acquire your COE for VA loans.