Military members and Veterans in the Hawaiian Islands can obtain a VA loan certificate of eligibility quickly—especially when a lender retrieves it through the VA’s Automated Certificate of Eligibility (ACE) system. Whether you’re PCSing to Oʻahu (JBPHH, Schofield Barracks, MCBH Kaneohe) or buying post-service, here’s how to get your COE fast.
A certificate of eligibility (COE) is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It verifies to lenders that you meet VA service requirements and shows your available entitlement. The COE is not your VA home loan application; it’s proof you’re eligible to use VA financing.
In addition to meeting a lender’s specific credit score and income requirements, you must complete a list of criteria to qualify for a va COE. As a veteran, these include:
A qualified Honolulu VA loan officer can help you establish where you stand regarding eligibility. Note:
Eligible Native American Veterans may use the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) to buy, build, or improve a home on Federal Trust Land.
The va certificate of eligibility includes a reference number, service number, social security number, entitlement code, branch of service, and date of birth. It will also list any prior VA loans that you have obtained. Contrary to popular belief, you can get more than one VA home loan in your lifetime and even more than one simultaneously (if you still have remaining eligibility). The VA home loan certificate of eligibility also contains essential information on your home loan benefits. These include the type of benefit to which you’re entitled and the amount of your entitlement.
01: World War II
02: Korean War
03: Post-Korean War
04: Vietnam War
05: The entitlement can restore (meaning a previous VA loan that paid in full, and now the eligibility for another one is restored).
06: Surviving Spouse of a Veteran
07: Spouse of POW/MIA
08: Post-World War II
09: Post-Vietnam
10: Persian Gulf War
Your entitlement code will also tell lenders if you’re subject to paying a higher funding fee because you’ve used your VA home mortgage benefits before or if you are exempt due to a service-connected disability. The funding fee is a percentage of the loan amount that helps offset the cost of administrating the VA home loan program. If necessary, your VA loan officer will help you navigate the funding fee and any other unique circumstances regarding your home loan eligibility.
A Honolulu VA loan officer can verify which items you need and submit them correctly the first time.
The requirements are simple. However, there are specific non-negotiable documents that you’ll need to apply for your COE. You will need a completed VA Form 26-1880, which a VA loan officer can help you fill out accurately. You’ll also need to provide documentation of your military service, including your DD Form 214 (Discharge Papers). Instead of the DD Form 214, you can sometimes provide a statement of service. This statement must come from your commanding officer and should include your pay rate while serving in the military. Again, a VA loan officer is the best person to help you ensure that you have all of the required documentation before applying for your COE.
You will obtain a COE (VA Form 26-1880) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It can be done online, by mail, or through a lender. The process for each option is outlined below:VA Loan Officer: You can work with an accredited VA loan officer who will help you to obtain your COE quickly and efficiently. Your VA loan officer will help you to get all of the required supporting documentation and should have access to the Automated Certificate of Eligibility (ACE) database. The ACE database is the most efficient way to obtain a COE, allowing VA-approved lenders to access the document within seconds.Online: You can complete the VA Form 26-1880 and submit it electronically. Remember that you will need to provide documentation of your military service and your DD Form 214 (Discharge Papers). You can also register at ebenefits.va.gov and pull your COE within minutes.By Mail: This is the most time and labor-intensive process. This method can take weeks. You can fill out and print the VA Form 26-1880 and submit it by mail. Again, you will also need to provide documentation of your military service and your DD Form 214 (Discharge Papers).Download VA Form 26-1880 here.Once you have applied for your COE, the Department of Veterans Affairs will process your application and send you a Certificate of Eligibility.
| Method | Typical Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lender Pull (ACE) | Instant–1 day | Most borrowers with complete digital records |
| VA.gov | Same day–~1 week | When lender access isn’t available or minor review is needed |
| Mail (VA Form 26-1880) | ~1–4+ weeks | Older/complex records, name/DOB mismatches, manual review |
You can start a pre-approval without a COE, but you cannot close until the COE is issued. Pulling your COE early helps catch and fix any record mismatches.
Once you have your COE, you can apply for or request a VA home loan. Your VA mortgage broker will then help you to complete a VA Loan Application Process. Your loan officer will work with you to get your home loan approved and closed so that you can start enjoying your new home!Get in touch with Elias Halvorson to learn more about obtaining your VA certificate of eligibility and how he can help you finance the purchase of your new home in Hawaii.Elias Halvorson has over a decade of experience in the industry and is one of the top Honolulu, VA, mortgage brokers in this specialized field.
A certificate of eligibility (COE) confirms you qualify for a VA home loan and shows your entitlement.
The VA’s official document proving you meet service requirements for a VA mortgage.
Ask a lender to pull it (often instant), request it on VA.gov, or mail VA Form 26-1880 with service documents.
Provide identity and service details to your lender or via VA.gov; mail is used for manual reviews.
Instant–1 day (lender), same day–~1 week (VA.gov), or ~1–4+ weeks (mail).
