VA Loan Statement of Service Letter
If you are a current military member exploring the possibility of a VA loan, it’s important to understand your statement of service letter. This document plays a significant role in verifying your military service, which is essential for securing your VA home loan benefits.
A military statement of service is a document provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or a branch of the military to confirm an individual's military service history and status. Essentially, it’s a letter from your commanding officer confirming your military service information.
A statement of service is required for all active duty service members as a way to verify their eligibility for VA home loan benefits.
For Veterans who have completed their military service, your VA lender may request your DD-214 or other separation paperwork in order to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Obtaining your statement of service is a relatively straightforward process. Generally, the easiest way is to reach out directly to your commanding officer, who will be responsible for creating and signing the document.
A typical statement of service includes the following information:
Your statement of service ensures that the Department of Defense or the relevant military branch is willing to confirm your service details if contacted by a third party or organization requiring verification, including your VA lender.
For a better idea of what this document may look like, see the sample statement of service template below:
[Your Letterhead]
[Date]
From: Commanding Officer, [Military Installation]
To: [Addressee]
Subject: STATEMENT OF SERVICE FOR [SERVICE MEMBER NAME, RANK]
To Whom It May Concern,
This is to certify that [Service Member's Name], [Rank and Grade], has been serving in the [Service Branch] at [Military Installation] since [Date of Entry]. The service member's anticipated date of separation is [Date of Separation].
[Service Member's Name] has been assigned the Military Occupational Specialty of [MOS] and has completed [Length of Service] of honorable active duty service. The expected character of discharge is [Character of Discharge].
This document is an accurate representation of the service member's status. Please contact [Contact Information] for further verification.
Sincerely,
[Commanding Officer's Signature]
[Commanding Officer's Name]
[Commanding Officer's Rank]
[Contact Information]
The statement of service serves various purposes for VA loans, primarily in confirming your eligibility by meeting the VA’s minimum service requirements.
Some of these elements include:
Your statement of service verifies your active duty status or previous status in the military. This information is essential for determining your eligibility for VA home loan benefits.
Your statement of service typically includes information about the start date of your service, your current status (active, reserve or retired) and the length of service completed. This information is necessary for determining eligibility and calculating VA entitlement, which affects the loan amount you can qualify for.
Your statement of service may specify the character of your military discharge. An honorable or other general discharge condition is usually required to qualify for VA home loan benefits.
If your time in service is sufficient and you were discharged honorably, you should have no trouble getting past the proof of service requirements once you get a copy of your DD-214, but some assume that a discharge not listed as honorable is a permanent barrier to getting military benefits like a VA mortgage.
Fortunately, that's not always true. Veterans who received military discharges classified as other than honorable may be eligible to appear before a discharge review board and apply to have it changed to honorable. If you're able to take advantage of this "second chance" type of military discharge upgrade or correction, it's a good idea to start the proceedings as soon as you're permitted under the discharge review board regulations.
Buyers and sellers should never assume that a certain kind of discharge is an immediate barrier to getting a VA loan and purchasing the property. Buyers should consult with the nearest regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn what rules and timetables apply in a particular circumstance.
Your statement of service serves as an official confirmation of your military service record and status, allowing VA lenders to verify your eligibility for a VA home loan. If you're an active duty service member looking to secure a VA loan, make sure to obtain your statement of service for a smooth and successful loan application process.
