U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA) Edition VA Form 26-1880, DEC 2025 (supersedes OCT 2022), OMB No. 2900-0086, expires 12/31/2028 4 pages

VA Form 26-1880 — Request for a Certificate of Eligibility

The VA form veterans, service members, Reservists and Guard members use to get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a VA-guaranteed home loan, or to restore used entitlement.

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VA Form 26-1880 · Request for a Certificate of Eligibility
The official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA) form, edition VA Form 26-1880, DEC 2025 (supersedes OCT 2022), OMB No. 2900-0086, expires 12/31/2028 — blank
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VA Form 26-1880 (2025) Request for a Certificate of Eligibility — page 1 of 4
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Fill this form online Blank PDF from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA)

What is VA Form 26-1880?

VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility, asks the Department of Veterans Affairs for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). A lender needs the COE to make a VA-guaranteed home loan, because it shows how much home loan entitlement you have. The same form asks VA to restore entitlement you used on an earlier VA loan, for example after you sold that home, or once only when the old loan is paid off but you still own the home.

The form itself says that for faster processing VA encourages you to request the COE on va.gov, or to ask the lender of your choice to request it electronically, and that in most cases an eligibility determination can be made instantly. The paper form is for when that doesn't work or you'd rather apply by mail. The current edition is DEC 2025, which replaces the OCT 2022 version.

FileIt asks each question in plain English and prints your answers into VA's own PDF: your details, every period of active, Reserve or National Guard service, and up to three previous VA loans with the kind of restoration you want. You then sign it and mail it to the Regional Loan Center for the state you live in.

Who fills it
The veteran, service member, Reservist or National Guard member asking for the COE.
Sent to
The VA Regional Loan Center for your state (page 4 of the form lists them).
Faster route
Request the COE on va.gov or through your lender, which the form recommends.
Signatures
The veteran signs and dates item 19.
Edition
DEC 2025 (OMB 2900-0086, expires 12/31/2028)
Agency
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration

Who needs to fill out VA Form 26-1880?

  • Veterans planning to buy, build or refinance a home with a VA-guaranteed loan who need proof of eligibility for the lender.
  • Active-duty service members, including those who want the funding fee exemption for a Purple Heart or a pending pre-discharge disability claim.
  • Members and former members of the Selected Reserve or National Guard.
  • Veterans who used a VA loan before and want that entitlement restored, for example after selling the home or to refinance it.
  • Veterans who still own a VA-financed home that was substantially damaged or destroyed in a federally declared natural disaster.

When to use VA Form 26-1880

  • When your lender can't get your COE electronically, or VA's online system can't make an instant determination.
  • Before house hunting, so you know your eligibility and entitlement.
  • When you have paid off a VA loan and want to use your entitlement again (items 14D to 16D, restoration).
  • When the name you want on the certificate differs from your service records, since you can attach the supporting document.

What you need before you start

  • Your full name as you want it on the certificate, and any other name you served under (as on your DD Form 214).
  • Your mailing address, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number and email.
  • Your service number, if you had one, and your VA claim number if you were discharged because of disability.
  • The branch, date entered and date separated for each period of active service and of Reserve or National Guard service.
  • Proof of service if readily available: a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22 or 23, retirement points statement, or a statement of service if you are still serving.
  • For each previous VA loan: the home's address, the VA loan number and the month and year of the loan.
  • Evidence a previous VA loan was paid in full, if VA may not have been told (a paid-in-full statement, satisfaction of mortgage or closing statement).

What’s on VA Form 26-1880

The 2025 edition has 4 pages. FileIt asks for it in 7 parts, and it is signed by Veteran or service member:

  1. Section I: About youVeteran or service member
  2. Section II: Military serviceVeteran or service member
  3. Section III: Previous VA loansVeteran or service member
  4. Another previous VA loan (item 15)Veteran or service member
  5. A third previous VA loan (item 16)Veteran or service member
  6. Disaster-damaged home (item 17)Veteran or service member
  7. Remarks (item 18)Veteran or service member

How to fill out VA Form 26-1880, step by step

1 Section I: Your identifying information (items 1 to 9)

Give your name exactly as you want it on the COE. If it's different from your service documents or VA records, the instructions ask you to include a copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court document (never the original). If you served under another name, give it in item 2B as it appears on your DD Form 214.

Item 9 asks whether you were discharged, retired or separated because of disability. If yes, add your VA claim number if you know it. The instructions note it's usually the same as your Social Security number, and to leave it blank if you're not sure.

2 Section II: Military service (items 10 and 11)

Items 10A to 10C matter for the VA funding fee. An active-duty service member who has been awarded the Purple Heart doesn't pay it, and neither does someone rated eligible for compensation from a pre-discharge exam or review (the exemption doesn't apply if the rating isn't obtained before closing). Title 32 activations don't count as active duty for the Purple Heart exemption.

Item 11A lists active service, which doesn't include active duty for training. Item 11B lists Reserve or National Guard service, including active duty for training. Give the branch and the dates entered and separated for each period. Leave the separation date blank for service you're still in.

3 Section III: How you'll use the COE and previous loans (items 12 to 16)

Item 12 says whether this is just an entitlement inquiry, a purchase, a cash-out refinance or an Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL). Item 13 asks whether you've had a VA home loan and whether you still own any of those homes.

For each previous VA loan give the address, loan number and month and year, and choose the restoration you're asking for: none (inquiry only), cash-out refinance restoration, interest rate reduction refinance, or one-time restoration. One-time restoration is for a VA loan that's paid in full on a home you still own, and it can be used only once. After that, you must sell all homes before any other entitlement can be restored.

4 Item 17: Disaster-damaged home

If you still own a VA-financed home that was substantially damaged or destroyed by a federally declared natural disaster, answer Yes and give the loan date, the date of loss and the property's address.

5 Item 18: Remarks

Use it for more previous VA loans than the three rows allow, or anything else VA should know, such as a name change or a note about your proof of service.

6 Section IV: Certification and signature

Sign item 19A yourself (the form says not to print it) and date it in item 19B. The form warns that federal statutes provide severe penalties for fraud or misrepresentation.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving out a period of service. List every active, Reserve and National Guard period.
  • Listing active duty for training under 11A. It belongs under Reserve or National Guard service in 11B.
  • Forgetting the supporting document when the name you want on the COE differs from your service records.
  • Choosing one-time restoration for a home you've sold, or when you've already used it. It's only for a paid-off loan on a home you still own.
  • Mailing the form to the wrong place. Use the Regional Loan Center for the state you live in, from page 4.
  • Not signing item 19A.

After you fill it out

Download the PDF, sign and date item 19, and mail it with copies of any proof of service or name-change documents to the Regional Loan Center listed on page 4 for your state. Don't send original documents.

FileIt keeps a copy in your vault, so you have what you sent when your lender asks.

VA will issue the Certificate of Eligibility or ask for more evidence. Give the COE to your lender.

Fill out VA Form 26-1880 online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 63 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start VA Form 26-1880 now — it’s free

VA Form 26-1880: frequently asked questions

Do I have to use VA Form 26-1880 to get a COE?

No. The form itself says VA encourages you to request your COE on va.gov or to ask your lender to request it electronically, and that in most cases a determination can be made instantly. The paper form is the mail-in alternative.

Where do I mail VA Form 26-1880?

To the VA Regional Loan Center of jurisdiction for the state you live in. Page 4 of the form lists each Regional Loan Center and the states it covers.

What proof of service do I need?

The instructions say a copy of your DD Form 214 is the best evidence for active service. Reserve and Guard members can use retirement points statements or NGB Form 22 or 23. If you're still serving, a statement of service signed by your unit's adjutant, personnel officer or commander works. The form notes eligibility can often be established from data in VA systems, but recommends including proof if it's readily available.

What is restoration of entitlement?

Getting back entitlement you used on a previous VA loan so you can use it again. Generally you need to have paid off the prior VA loan and no longer own the home. Once only, you can have it restored while still owning the home, if the loan is paid in full.

Does the Purple Heart question affect the funding fee?

Yes. The instructions say the VA funding fee may not be collected from an active-duty member of the Armed Forces who has been awarded the Purple Heart. You may be asked for evidence of the award.

Is my Social Security number required?

The Privacy Act notice on the form says giving your SSN is voluntary and that refusing to give it won't by itself lead to a denial of benefits. VA uses it to find your records.

Can I fill out VA Form 26-1880 online with FileIt?

Yes. FileIt guides you through each item and prints your answers into VA's official PDF, which you can download, sign and mail. FileIt never sends anything to VA for you.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-28.

Fill out VA Form 26-1880 online