VA Loan Eligibility
& Certificate of Eligibility

The timeline depends on which method you use:

• eBenefits/VA.gov (fastest): Instant to 24 hours if your records are in the VA system
• Through your lender: Same day to 5 business days via WebLGY portal
• Mail submission: 10-15 business days for VA Form 26-1880

Recommended: We typically obtain COEs for our clients through the WebLGY system within 1-3 business days, which is faster than most borrowers can get it themselves.

Yes, typically you can qualify with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge. The VA usually considers General discharges as qualifying for home loan benefits.

Discharge types and eligibility:

• Honorable discharge: Fully eligible
• General discharge: Usually eligible
• Other Than Honorable (OTH): Case-by-case review by VA
• Bad Conduct: May be eligible depending on circumstances
• Dishonorable: Not eligible

If your discharge status is unclear or you have questions about OTH or Bad Conduct discharges, contact us for a review. The VA will evaluate your specific situation.

No, you don't need your COE before starting the application process. You can apply for pre-qualification first, and we'll help you obtain your COE during the application process.

Recommended approach:

1. Start your pre-qualification with us (provides buying power estimate)
2. We'll request your COE on your behalf through WebLGY
3. COE arrives within 1-5 days (usually same or next day)
4. Continue with full loan application once COE is confirmed

However, if you're house hunting soon, obtaining your COE early can speed up the process when you find a home and make an offer.

Yes, National Guard members can qualify for VA loans. There are two paths to eligibility:

Path 1: Standard National Guard Service

• Completed 6 years of service in the National Guard
• Received honorable discharge or still serving
• Documentation: NGB 22 or Statement of Service

Path 2: Activated for Federal Service

• Called to active duty under Title 10 orders
• Served 90 consecutive days (wartime) or 181 days (peacetime)
• Documentation: DD-214 showing active duty time

Many Nevada National Guard members qualify through activation for deployments or federal missions.

You can request a replacement DD-214 from the National Archives. Here's how:

Online (fastest):

• Visit eVetRecs system at archives.gov/veterans
• Complete SF-180 form online
• Typically receive within 10-15 business days

By mail:

• Complete SF-180 form and mail to National Personnel Records Center
• May take 4-6 weeks for processing

Good news: While you're waiting for your DD-214, we can still start your pre-qualification using other service documentation. Contact us and we'll guide you through the process.

No, your Certificate of Eligibility does not expire. Once you receive your COE, it remains valid for future VA loan applications.

However, you should update your COE if:

• You've used a VA loan and paid it off (to restore full entitlement)
• Your marital status changes
• You complete additional qualifying military service
• You sell a property purchased with a VA loan

Updating your COE ensures the VA has accurate information about your available entitlement and can provide the maximum loan amount with $0 down payment.

Yes! Your VA loan benefit is reusable. You can use it multiple times throughout your life.

How to restore full entitlement:

• Pay off and sell: Pay off your VA loan and sell the property. Your full entitlement is restored.
• Assumption by eligible veteran: Have another eligible veteran assume your VA loan. Your entitlement is restored.
• One-time restoration: In certain cases, you can restore entitlement once without selling, subject to VA approval.

Using VA loan with remaining entitlement:

If you still have a VA loan on one property, you may be able to use remaining entitlement to buy another home (for example, if you're relocating for military orders). The VA will calculate your available entitlement based on what's already in use.

VA entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees to your lender if you default on your loan. It determines how much you can borrow with $0 down payment.

2026 Nevada entitlement breakdown:

• Basic entitlement: $36,000 (covers loans up to $144,000)
• Bonus entitlement: Additional amount for conforming loan limits
• Total entitlement: Allows $0 down up to $806,500 in Clark County (Las Vegas)

How it works in practice:

With full entitlement, you can borrow up to $806,500 (2026 conforming limit for Nevada) with $0 down payment. If you're buying above that limit, you'll need to make a down payment of 25% of the amount above the limit.

Example: Buying a $900,000 home in Las Vegas:

• Amount above limit: $900,000 - $806,500 = $93,500
• Required down payment: $93,500 × 25% = $23,375
• Still no PMI regardless of down payment amount