DD 214

VA Form DD 214

The DD 214 is the Report of Separation issued for members of the military who have served in active duty or performed 90 consecutive days of active duty training. This document is vital to any veteran who is applying for a VA loan, because it is the primary means of proving eligibility for the VA mortgage program.

What the DD 214 Includes
The DD 214 includes information about a veteran’s time of service, including the length of active duty, any medals or awards received, the reason and date of discharge and training or credits received while on active duty. In the lender’s eyes, this document shows that your service was sufficient to make you eligible for the VA loan program.

If you already have this form, your VA Loan Counselor can use it to obtain instant access to your Certificate of Eligibility, which puts you closer to loan approval.

Options for Those Who Do Not Have the DD 214
Some who qualify for the VA home mortgage program may not have access to the DD 214. For example, veterans who were released from military service prior to January 1, 1950 may have a different from, such as the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, or the NAVCG 553. The National Guard and Reserves do not issue the DD 214 to their retirees, and those who are currently in active duty will not have it either. These applicants will need to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility directly from the VA.

Veterans and other qualified individuals, like the spouse of a veteran, who no longer have their DD 214 but did receive one can request a copy of the form from the National Archives. This request can be made online through the eVetRecs system or through the mail using Standard Form 180.

If you know that you will be looking for a new home in the near future and wish to use your VA loan benefit, request your DD 214 as soon as possible. Having the document ready ensures you can get fast pre-approval for your VA financing when you are ready to make an offer on a home. If you have any questions about the DD 214 or the alternative documents you can use to prove your service, contact one of our VA Loan Specialists today.