VA Form 26-1880 (Request for a Certificate of Eligibility) asks the VA to issue your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — the document a lender needs to confirm you qualify for a VA-guaranteed home loan.
What the COE does
The COE proves to a lender that you meet the VA's service requirements for the home-loan benefit. It doesn't approve a loan by itself — it unlocks the VA loan program so a lender can proceed.
The funding-fee connection for disabled veterans
Here's the part many veterans don't know: if you're receiving VA disability compensation, you're generally exempt from the VA loan funding fee — which can save thousands of dollars at closing. Your COE reflects this exemption.
How to get your COE
- •Online through the VA, or your lender can often pull it for you instantly.
- •By mail using VA Form 26-1880.
Tip
If you have a service-connected disability rating, make sure your COE shows the funding-fee exemption before closing — it's real money, and it's easy to miss.
VA forms mentioned in this guide
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This guide is educational information about the VA claims system — it is not legal or medical advice, and it does not predict or promise any claim outcome. Regulations and procedures change; always verify current requirements at VA.gov. VA Claim Commander is a self-service documentation tool, not a VSO, law firm, or VA-accredited representative.