Eligibility for VA Mortgage Refinance

VA Mortgage benefits are available to military veterans who have received anything other than a dishonorable discharge, as well as active duty service members, who have met service requirements. Surviving spouses of veterans who died during service, or because of a service related injury, are also eligible for VA mortgage benefits provided they have not remarried.

You are eligible for VA home loan benefits if you served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable after 90 days or more, any part of which occurred during wartime (WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Era, Gulf War), OR 181 continuous days or more in peacetime.

There is a two year requirement for veterans who enlisted (and service began) after September 7, 1980, OR were an officer and service began after October 16, 1981. In this case, you must have completed either 24 continuous months or more, OR the full period for which ordered to active duty, but not less than 90 days (any part during wartime) or 181 continuous days (peacetime).

You may also be eligible for VA mortgage refinance if you:

• were discharged for a service-connected disability
• were discharged for the convenience of the government after completing at least 20 months of a 2-year enlistment
• were discharged because of a hardship
• were determined to have a service-connected compensable disability
• were discharged or released from active duty for a medical condition which pre-existed service and has not been determined to be service-connected
• received an involuntary discharge or release from active duty for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force
• were discharged or released from active duty for a physical or mental condition not characterized as a disability and not the result of misconduct but which did interfere with your performance of duty
• are a spouse of a serviceperson missing in action or a prisoner of war

Certificate of Eligibility

To be eligible for VA Mortgage Refinance, you must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. The VA loan certificate of eligibility is what verifies to the lender that you are eligible for a VA loan.

You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by filling out a governmental form called the VA Form 26-1880, Request For a Certificate of Eligibility For Home Loan Benefits. This document is available for download and print online at the VA home loans government website.

Once you download the certificate of eligibility request form,  print it out, complete the form and mail it as indicated.  You should do this as soon as possible as it can take up to 4 weeks for you to receive the Certificate of Eligibility. If you already have your certificate when you are ready to refinance, it will save you time on the processing of your loan.

If you have any questions about your eligibility for a VA mortgage refinance, or need assistance in obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility, our office will be happy to assist you.