The usual starting point is a Certificate of Eligibility, often called a COE. It is the VA's record of your benefit. We can help you request it.
Veterans and active duty service members may qualify after a minimum time in service. National Guard and Reserve service uses a different rule, unless you were called to active duty.
Some surviving spouses qualify, including spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability. The details matter, so we do not decide this from a website.
The VA confirms eligibility. A lender still has to approve the loan. This page is information, not a commitment to lend.
How it goes
01
Tell us how you served
Branch and a rough time frame are enough for the first call.
02
We point to the COE
That document answers more than memory does.
03
We separate benefit from approval
The COE is step one. Credit, income, and the home are still part of a lender's yes.
04
You choose a path
Purchase, IRRRL, or cash-out. Or we tell you another loan fits better.
Questions we hear
Does a COE mean I am approved?
No. It shows the VA benefit. A lender still reviews credit, income, assets, and the property.
I was in the Guard. Does that count?
It can. The service requirement is different from active duty, and activation can change it. Bring what you have and we will sort it out.
What if I cannot find my discharge papers?
We start anyway. Many COE requests can be made without you hunting through a drawer first.
Does my credit have to be perfect?
No. Credit rules differ by program. We look at the real file, and we will be honest if it needs time.
Can you tell me yes from this form?
No. The form starts a conversation. It does not approve a loan and it does not pull credit.
Rates change daily. Talk to a real lender, Mon-Fri, 9 AM-6 PM PT.
Sunview Lending is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. This is not a commitment to lend.
Reviewed by Roland Suncire, Founder and President, NMLS 1196184. Last updated October 2026. Reviews