VA Loans Spouse Requirements

Learn how a spouse can be eligible for VA loan benefits, including active duty, surviving spouses, and divorcees.
Advertising Disclosure.

Advertiser Disclosure: The Military Wallet and Three Creeks Media, LLC, its parent and affiliate companies, may receive compensation through advertising placements on The Military Wallet. For any rankings or lists on this site, The Military Wallet may receive compensation from the companies being ranked; however, this compensation does not affect how, where, and in what order products and companies appear in the rankings and lists. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a “partner,” the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of The Military Wallet. No tables, rankings, or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products.

The Military Wallet and Three Creeks Media have partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Military Wallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

American Express is an advertiser on The Military Wallet. Terms Apply to American Express benefits and offers.

The VA loan is a specialized mortgage program for veterans and active-duty service members. This unique loan offers numerous advantages such as no down payment requirement, lower interest rates, and more lenient credit standards compared to traditional loans.

Veterans can apply for the VA loan on their own or with their spouse as a co-borrower. A co-borrower agrees to be financially liable for the loan should the primary borrower default. Co-borrowers are equally responsible for the monthly payments, are included on the title, and equally share the equity in the home.

If you apply for a VA loan with your spouse, each of you will need to meet any financial conditions outlined by your VA-approved lender. These conditions can vary but include a review of your financials like credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and income. Typically, most VA lenders seek a credit score of at least 620 and a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) of 41% or less.

Adding your spouse to the VA loan as a co-borrower may help you qualify for a larger loan amount but is not a VA requirement.

Can my spouse use a VA loan without me?

It’s important to understand that the VA loan is reserved for veterans and active-duty service members. The veteran must always be the primary borrower on a VA loan, except in cases involving surviving spouses.

The VA does extend VA home loan benefits to the widow or widower whose partner died while on active duty, from a service-related disability, or those receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

See What You Qualify For

Select a VA Home Loan Option to Continue:

Home Purchase
Home Refinance
Cash-Out Refinance
Explore My Options
Get Started

VA Loan Surviving Spouse Requirements

Surviving spouses of eligible veterans can qualify for VA home loan benefit as long as they remain unmarried and the veteran’s passing falls into the below criteria.

  • The veteran is a POW (prisoner of war) or MIA (missing in action)
  • The veteran passed away during active-duty service or from a service-related disability (and the spouse has not remarried)
  • The veteran passed away while during active-duty service or from a service-related disability, and the spouse did not remarry before they turned 57 years old or prior to December 16, 2003
  • The veteran was totally disabled and passed away, but their disability may not have been their cause of death (in specific situations)

In addition to meeting financial requirements, you must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to obtain a VA loan as a surviving spouse. Your local VA office can help provide guidance on how to acquire your COE.

VA Loan Spouse Requirements FAQs

Does my spouse have to be on my VA loan?

If you are an eligible veteran or military service member, you do not have to include your spouse or anyone else on your VA loan. Married service members often apply with a spouse to qualify for a higher loan amount, but it is not required.

Will my spouse’s credit score affect my VA loan?

If you do not include your spouse as a co-borrower, their financial status will not affect your VA loan qualification unless you reside in a community property state.

How does divorce impact my VA loan?

Ex-spouses of military members do not qualify for VA loans on their own. You can find more about your options for your current VA loan following a divorce here.

Can two married veterans combine their VA loans?

Yes, two married veterans can combine their entitlement amounts to obtain a VA loan. Other options include splitting your entitlements or only using one spouse’s entitlement on a VA loan.

Married veterans also have the option of combining entitlement leftover from a prior loan with the full entitlement of their spouse.

In any scenario where a portion of both veterans’ entitlement is being used, both veterans must meet the VA lender’s financial eligibility and requirements. Additionally, the couple must intend to occupy the property as their primary residence.

What if my spouse is non-purchasing, but we live in a community property state?

In community property states, any debt incurred during the marriage is generally considered to be the responsibility of both spouses, even if only one spouse applies for the loan. This means your lender will still count their monthly debts when calculating overall DTI, which can impact how much you qualify for.

Some community property states allow non-purchasing spouses to release their ownership interest and allow the borrower to close without counting their debts on the loan. These closing documents can be known as spousal waivers or quitclaim deeds depending on where you purchase.

About Post Author

Get Instant Access
FREE Weekly Updates! Enter your information to join our mailing list.

Posted In:

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave A Comment:

    Comments:

    About the comments on this site:

    These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

  1. Nelda Barnes says

    I need assistance in getting approved for a VA loan. My late husband, Ret Brig Gen Jerome Rash Barnes Jr, passed away 8 yrs ago. I’m trying to get compensation due to his Agent Orange related issues. Prostate cancer, colon cancer, AFIB; he did not want to do chemo and radiation.
    I have been trying to get monthly DIC compensation along with the lump sum payment due to his years of service at CamRanh Bay; Vietnam. He served for 30 yrs; he retired in 1981.
    I keep running into “brick walls”. Can someone please help me? I am 72; I’ve had 2 spinal surgeries ( half my spine has a titanium cage with bolts and screws), and both hips replaced due to lifting and taking care of him.
    My name is Nelda Barnes

The Military Wallet is a property of Three Creeks Media. Neither The Military Wallet nor Three Creeks Media are associated with or endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs. The content on The Military Wallet is produced by Three Creeks Media, its partners, affiliates and contractors, any opinions or statements on The Military Wallet should not be attributed to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, the Dept. of Defense or any governmental entity. If you have questions about Veteran programs offered through or by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, please visit their website at va.gov. The content offered on The Military Wallet is for general informational purposes only and may not be relevant to any consumer’s specific situation, this content should not be construed as legal or financial advice. If you have questions of a specific nature consider consulting a financial professional, accountant or attorney to discuss. References to third-party products, rates and offers may change without notice.

Advertiser Disclosure: The Military Wallet and Three Creeks Media, LLC, its parent and affiliate companies, may receive compensation through advertising placements on The Military Wallet. For any rankings or lists on this site, The Military Wallet may receive compensation from the companies being ranked; however, this compensation does not affect how, where, and in what order products and companies appear in the rankings and lists. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a “partner,” the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of The Military Wallet. No tables, rankings, or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products.

Editorial Disclosure: Editorial content on The Military Wallet may include opinions. Any opinions are those of the author alone, and not those of an advertiser to the site nor of  The Military Wallet.

Information from your device can be used to personalize your ad experience.