I’ve mentioned before that the very first step in getting a VA loan is applying for eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs. I’ve also written that VA borrowers can go through their lender to help them get that application process started. But what about vets and active duty service members who prefer to take care of this themselves?

VA borrowers who’d rather handle this basic first step used to have to fill out paper forms and submit them by mail, but thanks to the VA’s addition of the Veterans Information Portal, much can be accomplished online instead—and not just applications for VA home loan eligibility.

The first thing to do is to go to the portal and register to set up an account.

Applicants need to provide their name and Social Security number to begin, plus the usual home address, phone numbers, and e-mail. Fortunately there is no wait time between signup and access to the Veterans Information Portal, applicants get access as soon as the information has been entered and updated by the system. In typical cases, once all the required fields have been filled out the wait time could be as long as two minutes from clicking the last button on the VIP registration form to the time access is granted.

The best part about signing up for the Veterans Information Portal? In typical cases for veterans with established military records, the Certificate of Eligibility for VA Loans is generated automatically after registering for VIP. Applicants can view the certificate and print it out. Again, this is for typical cases—some applicants recently discharged, newly enlisted or having other circumstances which might require additional assistance may find their VIP experience a bit different and should view the VA’s list of toll-free contact numbers to get help for any issues. The VA Home Loans toll-free number is 1-800-827-1000.