Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Application Checklist: What You Need to Apply

You’ve served your country. You’ve earned your Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan benefit. But when it’s finally time to use it, the application process can feel anything but simple.  

That moment of uncertainty is more common than you’d think. You might know VA loans come with unique features like no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI), but knowing what a loan offers and knowing how to prepare for the actual application process are two different things. The documents, timelines, and terminology can feel like a lot to sort through all at once, especially if this is your first home purchase. 

Consider this your starting point. This article walks you through the VA home loan application process from the ground up. It explains what eligibility looks like, what to pull together before you apply, and a checklist of the documents your lender will likely ask for.  

VA Home Loan Application: Overview 

Before diving into the paperwork, it helps to understand what a VA home loan actually is and how the process works at a high level. 

What is a VA home loan? 

A VA home loan is a mortgage option spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the VA doesn’t lend money directly; instead, it guarantees a portion of the loan, which reduces the risk for the private lenders who provide the actual mortgage.  

Some features of the VA loan include: 

• No down payment required for most eligible borrowers 

• No private mortgage insurance (PMI) 

• Competitive interest rates 

• No prepayment penalty 

• Limits on certain fees lenders can charge 

Who is it designed for? 

VA home loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and certain surviving spouses. Eligibility is based primarily on your length and character of service. 

How does the process work? 

At a high level, the VA home loan process typically follows these milestones: 

1. Confirm your eligibility and obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) 
2. Get pre-approved with a lender experienced with VA home loan programs 
3. Find a home and make an offer 
4. Complete the VA appraisal and underwriting process 
5. Close on your loan 

One thing worth knowing upfront: you don’t need to have your COE in hand before you start working with a lender. In many cases, your lender can request it directly through the VA’s system on your behalf, often within minutes. It can be one less thing to figure out on your own. 

What You Need Before You Apply 

Preparation makes a real difference in how your application process goes. Before you start filling anything out, there are three things worth getting clear on: whether you’re eligible, what your financial picture looks like, and whether the VA funding fee applies to you.

Confirm Your Eligibility

VA home loan eligibility is based on your service history and character of discharge. Here’s a general breakdown of the minimum active-duty service requirements: 

• Active-duty service members: At least 90 continuous days of active duty 

• Veterans (wartime service): At least 90 days of active duty during a wartime period 

• Veterans (peacetime service): At least 181 continuous days of active duty 

• National Guard and Reserve members: At least six creditable years of service, or at least 90 days of active-duty service under qualifying orders (with at least 30 of those days served consecutively) 

• Surviving spouses: May be eligible if their spouse died in service or from a service-connected disability, or is missing in action or a prisoner of war 

Further, eligibility generally requires an honorable discharge. If you’re unsure whether your discharge status qualifies, the VA can help you review your options. 

Once you’ve confirmed you may be eligible, the next step is obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can get one three ways: 

1. Online: Through the VA’s eBenefits portal 
2. Through your lender: Many lenders can access the VA’s automated system to pull your COE directly. 
3. By mail: By completing VA Form 26-1880 and submitting it to your regional VA loan center (note that this option can take considerably longer). 

Know Your Financial Picture 

The VA does not set a minimum credit score requirement, but individual lenders do. Before you apply, it may be worth pulling your credit report if possible, so you know where you stand and can address any issues in advance. 

Beyond credit, your lender will also evaluate: 

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: The relationship between your monthly debt obligations and your gross monthly income.  

Income stability: Lenders want to see consistent, verifiable income. If you’re self-employed or have variable income, you’ll likely need additional documentation. 

Employment history: A steady two-year employment history is typically what lenders look for. Gaps or recent changes aren’t automatic disqualifiers, but they may require some explanation. 

Understand the VA Funding Fee  

The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid at closing for most VA loan borrowers. It’s not a lender fee; it goes directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs and helps keep the VA loan program funded and available for future generations of service members.  

How much you pay depends on a few factors:  

• Whether this is your first time using the VA loan program 

• Your loan type 

• Whether you make a down payment  

Not everyone pays the funding fee. Exemptions apply to certain individuals. If you believe you may be exempt, your COE will typically reflect that status.  

Finally, if you do owe the funding fee, which most do, you have the option to roll it into your loan amount rather than pay it out of pocket at closing. This increases your loan balance slightly but reduces your upfront cash needs. 

VA Loan Application Checklist (Documents & Requirements) 

Gathering your documents before you start the application is one of the most helpful things you can do to keep the process moving. Missing documents and unsigned paperwork are among the biggest reasons veterans encounter delays during the VA loan process.  

Now, keep in mind that every borrower’s situation is a little different. Your specific income type, service history, and whether this is your first time using a VA loan will determine exactly what your lender asks for. The list below covers what’s typically required. Your loan officer will walk you through anything additional that applies to your situation. 

Personal Identification 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) 

• Social Security number 

Military Service Documentation 

What you’ll need here depends on your service status: 

• Veterans: A copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) 

• Active-duty service members: A statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant, or personnel officer, including your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, entry date on active duty, duration of any lost time, and the name of the command providing the information 

• Current or former activated National Guard or Reserve members: A copy of your DD-214 or other discharge documents 

• National Guard or Reserve members never activated: A statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant, or personnel officer, along with your Report of Separation and Record of Service (NGB Form 22) and Retirement Points Statement (NGB Form 23) 

• Surviving spouses: The veteran’s DD-214 (if available), along with VA Form 26-1817 if receiving Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or VA Form 21P-534EZ if applying for DIC 

• Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will also be required, though as noted earlier, your lender can often pull this for you directly. 

Income & Employment Documentation 

The most common income documents you’ll need include:  

• Two years of W-2 statements  

• Your most recent pay stubs 

Self-employed borrowers typically need: 

• Two years of federal tax returns 

• 1099s 

• Documentation of any commission or rental income (Form 1040 Schedule E).  

If you receive VA disability compensation, you’ll need your VA disability award letter with stated percentages. Additional income documentation that may apply: 

• Pension or retirement award letters (if retired) 

• Social Security award letters (if applicable) 

• Rental income documentation (if applicable) 

Asset & Financial Documentation 

• Print out or scan your most recent bank statements. Some lenders will require several months of statements, so prepare to send a few months’ worth. 

• Investment or retirement account statements (if applicable) 

• Documentation for any large recent deposits  

• If you have a history of bankruptcy or foreclosure, documentation related to those will also be needed.  

Property-Related Documents (Once You’re Under Contract) 

• Signed purchase agreement 

• Homeowners insurance information 

• Your lender will order the VA appraisal directly 

Final Thoughts 

Applying for a VA home loan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Like most big processes, it becomes a lot more manageable once you know what to expect. The fact that you’re reading this means you’re already ahead of a lot of first-time buyers on that learning curve. 

In short: confirm your eligibility, get your COE (or let your lender get it for you), pull your documents together before you start the application, and pay attention to the property’s condition before you make an offer. Those things alone might save you a significant amount of time and stress during the application process.