Getting your VA Loan

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible

We will cover the Proof of Eligibility process below but in general, the following people are eligible for a VA-Backed Loan:

• Veterans
• Active Duty Personnel
• Reservists/National Guard Members
• Some surviving spouses

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Step 2: Get Started With The Pre-Approval Process

At a minimum, we need you to fill out the Short Application In Order To Start The Pre-Approval Process. Don't worry if there are a few blanks that don't apply. Fill out as much as possible and when we speak, we will make sure we have all the information needed.

Click here to start the Pre-Approval process

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Step 3: Get The Proof You Need To Show You Are Eligible For The VA Loan Program

You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility before you can get a VA-backed loan. This section shows how you can apply for one.

Among categories A, B, and C below, find the one that matches your situation.

Category A: Veterans, Active Duty, and Reservists/National Guard Members Who Have Served on Active Duty

You can get a Certificate of Eligibility in any of three ways:

1. Apply online. Go to the Veterans Information Portal and click on User Registration. Click Here for user instructions for applying online.

2. Apply through us. In many cases, we can obtain a Certificate online in minutes. Check the table below entitled, “Evidence Needed for the Certificate of Eligibility.”

3. Apply by mail. Use VA Form 26-1880. Return it to the address shown on the form. If you can’t print the form, just call 1-888-244-6711 and follow the prompts for Eligibility.

Evidence Needed for the Certificate of Eligibility:

If you are:	You need to submit:
Veteran (Includes a member or former member of the National Guard or Reserves who was once activated for Federal Service)	DD Form 214; We are required to have a copy showing the character of service (item 24) and the narrative reason for separation (item 28).
Active Duty Servicemember	A current statement of service signed by (or by the direction of): the adjutant, personnel office, or commander of the unit or higher headquarters showing: Your full name Social Security Number Date of birth Entry date on active duty The duration of any lost time The name of the command providing the information

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Category B: Reservists/National Guard Members Who Have Never Served on Active Duty

You can get a Certificate of Eligibility in any of three ways:

1. Apply online. Go to the Veterans Information Portal and click on User Registration. Click Here for user instructions for applying online.

2. Apply through us. In many cases, we can obtain a Certificate online in minutes. Check the table below entitled, “Evidence Needed for the Certificate of Eligibility.”

3. Apply by mail. Use VA Form 26-1880. Return it to the address shown on the form. If you can’t print the form, just call 1-888-244-6711 and follow the prompts for Eligibility.

Evidence Needed for the Certificate of Eligibility:

If you are:	You need to submit:
Serving now in the Selected Reserve or the National Guard and have never been activated for federal service	Statement of service signed by (or by the direction of) the adjutant, personnel officer or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing: Your full name Social Security Number Date of birth Entry date on duty The total number of creditable years of service The duration of any lost time The name of the command providing the information
A discharged member of the National Guard who has never been activated for federal service	Either: NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, for each period of National Guard service OR NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, and proof of the character of service
A discharged member of the Selected Reserve who has never been activated for federal service	Copy of your latest annual retirement points statement and evidence of honorable service

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Category C: Surviving Spouses of Veterans Who Died In Service or As a Result of Service

You must apply for the Certificate by mail.

If your veteran spouse died after service, VA must determine that the death was due to a service-connected disability. Please allow 2-3 months for this process unless you know that the decision on service-connected death has already been made.

Apply using VA Form 26-1817. If you can’t print the form, just call 1-888-244-6711 and follow the prompts for Eligibility.

Send the completed form to:

VA Loan Eligibility Center
PO Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120

If you are:	You need to submit:
The surviving spouse of a servicemember who died on active duty	If you’re already receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), you don’t need to send any documents. If you don’t receive DIC, please send us A copy of the DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) from the military A copy of your marriage certificate It would be a good idea to add a simple signed statement saying that you would like to apply for DIC. If you qualify for the home loan benefit, you probably qualify for monthly payments under DIC. Put the servicemember’s Social Security number on all documents.
The surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of military service	Either: NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, for each period of National Guard service OR NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, and proof of the character of service
A discharged member of the Selected Reserve who has never been activated for federal service	If you’re already receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), send us a copy of your award letter. (Generally, you will already have a record on file at a VA regional benefits office.) If you don’t receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), please send us A copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214 A copy of the veteran’s death certificate A copy of your marriage certificate We recommend that you add a simple signed statement saying that you would like to apply for DIC. If you qualify for the home loan benefit, you probably qualify for monthly payments under DIC. Put the veteran’s Social Security number on all documents.

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Step 4: Start Compiling The Documents Needed To Complete Your Loan

To expedite the processing of your loan, please provide the items listed below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call!

Please provide the following as indicated:

1. Pay stubs (LES) to cover the last 4 weeks (if co-borrower, please include as well)
2. Statements for all bank accounts, 401(k), retirement, etc., for the past 2
months. (Please include all pages).
3. W-2’s for the past two years
4. Federal Tax returns for the last two years, all pages (Not State forms)
5. Complete copy of divorce paperwork including settlement agreement (If applicable)
6. Landlord’s name, address, phone, for past two years (If applicable)
7. Address for personnel department if different than work address
8. Rental agreements on all properties (If applicable)
9. Complete copy of bankruptcy paperwork, including discharge page (If applicable)
10. Please include a clear copy of Social Security card and Driver’s license (if co-borrower, please include as well)
11. Not Active: Please include copy of DD214 if not currently active

Active: Copy of Current “Service Statement” (obtained from base personnel or online) and PCS Orders to Florida

1. Copy of VA Certificate of Eligibility (or fill out VA form 26-1880) and fax to me.

If you are applying for refinancing or secondary financing:

1. Please enclose a copy of your homeowner’s insurance declarations page and a copy of your current mortgage payment coupon.

In some cases, we may need additional information. If so, someone from our team will contact you. Please feel free to contact us with any questions!

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