A VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document that verifies to lenders that you are eligible to apply for a VA home loan. It confirms that you meet the military service requirements for a VA loan and that you qualify for the VA home loan benefit. The COE also details your available VA loan entitlement and if youre required to pay the VA funding fee. You can request a COE online through the VA.gov website, and in many cases, VA has sufficient information to automatically determine eligibility and provide you with a downloadable COE. To request an entitlement restoration, fill out a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880) . It is recommended that borrowers provide proof of service when applying for a COE, which includes documentation such as a copy of your discharge or separation papers (DD214) . Although it’s easier than ever to request a COE, the best way to get your COE is to have your lender do the work. They can obtain a COE on your behalf.