VA Statement of Service (2026): Template + Mistakes

Buying with a VA loan often comes down to one early question:

Can your service be verified clearly and on time?

That’s where confusion usually starts. Some buyers only need a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Others are asked for a Statement of Service - especially if they’re still on active duty, recently separated, or serving in the Guard or Reserves.

The problem isn’t eligibility. It’s knowing which document applies to you - and when one can replace the other.

Below, we’ll break down when a Statement of Service is required, how it connects to your COE, and why confirming this early can prevent delays, denials, or last-minute surprises later in the VA loan process.

The COE is the official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs confirming that you meet the service requirements for a VA loan. Whether you’re active duty, a veteran, a National Guard or Reserve member, or a surviving spouse, the COE serves as the main “green light” for lenders, showing that you’re entitled to VA loan benefits.

• Many veterans can pull it themselves via the VA’s eBenefits portal.

• Lenders can also request it electronically on your behalf.

• If the VA has all your service records on file (e.g., DD214 for discharged veterans), the COE is often generated automatically.

If you’re a veteran with a properly documented DD214, and the VA can verify all your service details, you might never need an additional Statement of Service. Your COE (showing your entitlement) plus your DD214 (verifying honorable service) usually covers eligibility.

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You’re more likely to need a Statement of Service if any of the following apply to you:

• Currently on active duty
• Recently separated and your DD214 isn’t available yet
• Guard or Reserve member with missing or outdated points records
• Your COE couldn’t be pulled automatically
• Your name, service dates, or details don’t match VA records

If you checked even one box, pre-approval is the fastest way to confirm what the VA will accept.

If you’re still on active duty, you usually don’t have a DD214 because you haven’t been discharged yet. In that scenario, lenders and the VA need to confirm you’ve met the required service length or are still serving in good standing. A Statement of Service provides:

• Your rank and pay grade

• Your service start date

• Expected date of separation

• Verification you’re currently on active duty

Sometimes the VA doesn’t have all of your service details in its database (perhaps you switched branches, or paperwork got delayed). A Statement of Service helps fill in the gaps, so the VA or your lender can finalize or update the COE.

Guard or Reserve members often need different documentation (e.g., points statements) to prove eligibility. If you can’t provide those standard forms or your points records aren’t current, a Statement of Service can confirm you’ve met the required duty thresholds.

Think of the Statement of Service as supporting evidence that ensures the VA can produce or validate your COE. If the VA or your lender can’t automatically confirm your status, they’ll rely on this letter from your chain of command.

Instead of waiting for your records to be updated across various military and VA databases, you can show your lender and the VA a fresh Statement of Service. That can speed up approval by making the service verification piece crystal clear.

If you’re not yet separated or just recently separated and your DD214 is in transit or incomplete, the Statement of Service can “stand in” so the lender doesn’t have to put your application on hold.

• You likely won’t need a Statement of Service because your lender can pull your COE using your DD214, and everything is on file.

• You will often need a Statement of Service to confirm you’re currently serving and expected to meet VA requirements for a loan.

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• You might be asked for a points statement and a Statement of Service, if your service records aren’t clearly documented or if the VA’s system can’t confirm you meet the necessary service threshold.

• If your name, Social Security number, or service dates differ between databases, your lender may ask for a Statement of Service to reconcile any mismatch and finalize the COE.

• COE First: The goal is always to secure a valid COE - that’s your ultimate proof of eligibility.

• Statement of Service as Backup or Primary Proof: If your status (especially on active duty) or your records aren’t in the system, the Statement of Service is what cements your eligibility so the lender and VA can proceed.

• Smooth the Process: Getting a Statement of Service early - if you know you need it - makes the loan approval process more efficient.

• When in Doubt, Ask: Your lender should guide you on whether a Statement of Service is necessary. They know what documentation the VA requires in your particular situation.

Knowing whether you need a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE), a DD214, or a Statement of Service is important.

But confirmation is what actually moves things forward - and protects you later.

That confirmation happens during VA pre-approval.

This is where:

• Your service history is reviewed and verified
• Your COE is confirmed or generated
• Any missing or mismatched documents are flagged early - before underwriting, offers, or closing timelines are at risk

No home required.

• No obligation.
• Just clarity - before mistakes get expensive.

Once you have that clarity, the next advantage is how you buy.

When you purchase a home using a reAlpha real estate company, you may be eligible to receive up to 1% of the home’s purchase price back as a credit at closing.

If you also finance through reAlpha Mortgage, that benefit can increase to up to 1.5% back, helping offset eligible closing costs - without changing your VA loan terms or monthly payment.

Because the credit is applied directly at closing, it reduces the cash you need upfront and helps you keep more of the VA benefit you earned.

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