Can a Military Spouse Get a VA Loan?

A VA home loan represents a significant benefit for eligible military service members, veterans, and their families, designed to facilitate homeownership. These loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, reducing risk for private lenders and allowing for more favorable loan terms. The program offers a pathway to homeownership with advantages such as no down payment requirements in many cases and competitive interest rates.

Spouse Eligibility for VA Loans

A military spouse can qualify for a VA home loan under specific conditions, primarily deriving eligibility from the service member’s or veteran’s service. Spouses of living service members or veterans do not have direct eligibility unless they are also veterans with their own entitlement. In most scenarios, a spouse’s ability to obtain a VA loan independently hinges on the service member’s death or specific service status.

Eligibility is common for unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability. This includes spouses who remarried after December 16, 2003, and after age 57. These provisions were expanded in 2012 to ensure more surviving spouses could access the benefit.

Another category includes spouses of service members listed as missing in action (MIA) or prisoners of war (POW) for at least 90 days. This is typically a one-time use benefit.

Eligibility also extends to surviving spouses of veterans rated totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability, even if the death was not directly caused by the disability. Specific conditions apply, such as the veteran being continuously rated totally disabled for 10 years immediately preceding death, or 5 years from discharge to death. These criteria ensure that families of veterans with long-term service-connected disabilities are supported.

Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Spouses

Spouses must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Department of Veterans Affairs before applying for a VA loan. The COE is a mandatory verification that confirms an individual meets the military service requirements for a VA loan. It does not guarantee loan approval but signifies that the applicant is eligible to apply for the VA home loan benefit through a private lender.

To secure a COE, specific documentation is required, varying based on eligibility. For a surviving spouse, this typically includes the veteran’s death certificate, marriage certificate, and discharge papers, such as DD Form 214. If the spouse remarried, proof of the date of remarriage and age at that time may be necessary to confirm continued eligibility.

Spouses of MIA or POW service members need official documentation verifying this status. If receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), this serves as proof of eligibility, and VA Form 26-1817, “Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility—Unmarried Surviving Spouses,” may be required. If not receiving DIC, VA Form 21P-534EZ, “Application for DIC, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits,” may be required.

Several methods exist for applying for a COE. The most efficient way is through a VA-approved lender, who can access an online system to pull the COE in minutes. Applicants can also apply online through the VA’s eBenefits portal, which usually provides a quick response. For paper applications, VA Form 26-1880, “Request for Certificate of Eligibility,” can be mailed to the appropriate VA regional loan center, though this method may take several weeks for processing.

Applying for the VA Loan

After obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility, the spouse applies for the VA home loan. Private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies, manage this process, not the VA directly. The COE confirms eligibility to these lenders.

The initial step involves finding a VA-approved lender experienced in VA loans. Many lenders specialize in these loans and can provide guidance throughout the process. After selecting a lender, the spouse proceeds with pre-qualification or pre-approval, which helps determine the loan amount they might qualify for based on their financial profile, including income and creditworthiness.

Following pre-approval, the home search begins, focusing on properties that meet the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) for safety, structural soundness, and sanitation. Once a property is identified, a full loan application package is submitted to the lender. This package includes financial documents such as W-2 statements, pay stubs, bank statements, and the COE.

The lender initiates the underwriting process, involving a thorough review of the applicant’s financial stability and the property’s value. A VA appraisal ensures the property meets the MPRs and determines its fair market value. Upon approval, the loan proceeds to closing, where all necessary documents are signed and property ownership is transferred.