The Certificate of Eligibility is the VA document confirming you are eligible for a VA loan. It also shows the entitlement amount available.

Your VA-approved lender pulls it through the VA portal in most cases — usually within minutes. You may also request it directly from the VA.

Do Guard/Reserve members qualify?

Yes, after six years of qualifying service in most cases. Activation under Title 10 can also create eligibility.

Are surviving spouses eligible?

Yes, in defined circumstances — including the spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty, or from a service-connected disability.

Does dishonorable discharge disqualify me?

Generally yes. Other-than-honorable discharges may still qualify after VA character-of-discharge review.

Do I need a minimum credit score?

The VA does not set a minimum score. Lenders set overlays — typically 580–620. Below those, manual underwriting may still be possible.

VA Loan Eligibility & COE | Utah Veterans Guide

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By Tres Miller · Mortgage Lender · NMLS #217768

Reviewed June 22, 2026 · 25+ years lending in Utah

Service eligibility, in plain language

Active-duty — currently serving with 90 days of continuous service.
Veterans (wartime) — 90 days of active service.
Veterans (peacetime) — 181 days of active service.
Guard and Reserve — generally six years of qualifying service, or 90 days of Title 10 activation.
Surviving spouses — of service members killed in the line of duty, lost from service-connected causes, missing in action, or POW (specific rules apply).

Pulling the COE

Most Utah veterans obtain the COE through their lender's access to the VA Web LGY system. The lender enters your service information and receives the COE in minutes. Direct requests can be made via VA.gov or by submitting VA Form 26-1880 by mail.

What the COE shows

Confirmation of VA loan eligibility.
Funding fee status (whether you are exempt).
Entitlement codes used to calculate available entitlement on this loan.

What to do if the COE has an error

Errors typically trace back to service-record gaps. Tres helps Utah veterans correct COE issues by routing requests through the right VA channel — DD-214 corrections, points-statement support for Guard/Reserve, and discharge review when needed.

Eligibility is a benefit, not a guarantee of approval

Having a COE confirms you are eligible to use the VA loan program. It does not by itself approve a loan. Income, credit, assets, and the property still must meet lender underwriting and VA minimum property requirements.