When applying for a VA home loan, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns a VA Loan Case Number—a unique 12-digit identifier—to each loan application. This number functions as a critical tracking tool that connects the veteran, the property, and the lender during every stage of the loan process, from initial application to final closing.
Your lender obtains this case number through the VA’s WebLGY online system after you have your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a purchase agreement on a home. This number is essential because it allows the VA, the lender, and authorized appraisers to identify and link all relevant documents and actions to your specific loan file.
A key function of the VA Loan Case Number is to initiate and submit the VA appraisal, also called the Notice of Value (NOV). A VA-certified appraiser cannot complete or upload the appraisal report without the case number, ensuring the appraisal is properly matched to your loan file.
The case number remains active throughout processing, underwriting, and closing, providing a reference for ordering the official Loan Guaranty Certificate that protects lenders against loss. Though you don’t need to memorize this number, it will appear on important loan documents, confirming your loan’s official registration with the VA.
It’s also important to distinguish the VA Loan Case Number from other identifiers:
- The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) verifies your eligibility for VA home loan benefits but is not tied to any single loan transaction.
- Your lender will have a separate internal loan number for their own tracking.
If you refinance your VA loan, such as through an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), a new VA Loan Case Number will be issued for that refinance transaction.
For more information about related VA loan terms, see our glossary entries on Certificate of Eligibility and VA Appraisal.
For official guidance on VA loans, the VA Lenders Handbook and the VA website provide detailed resources: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
Understanding the VA Loan Case Number helps you track your VA home loan progress and ensures smooth communication between all parties involved in your financing.
