Where to Find VA's Accreditation Search
To check whether someone is authorized to help with your VA benefits claim, search VA's Office of General Counsel accreditation database at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp. The search is free and public. You can look up anyone by name, state, or zip code.
VA OGC Accreditation Search[1]The database shows every individual currently accredited by VA and every organization currently recognized by VA. VA's own form instructions recommend confirming accreditation before signing any contract or appointing someone to represent you.
VA Form 21-22 Instructions[2]One practical note: the database refreshes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening. If you are close to appointing a representative or signing a fee agreement, run the search again that same week.
Who Counts as VA-Accredited
VA accredits three types of representatives: VSO (Veterans Service Organization) representatives, attorneys, and claims agents.
VA Benefits – Accredited Representatives[3]A VSO representative works for a congressionally chartered or VA-recognized veterans service organization, such as the American Legion, DAV, or VFW. VSO representatives help veterans prepare and file claims and represent them before VA, and their services on VA benefit claims are always free.
VA.gov – Get Help from an Accredited Representative[4]An accredited attorney is a licensed lawyer who has been separately authorized by VA's Office of General Counsel to help with VA claims. VA accreditation and a state bar license are distinct authorizations. A lawyer needs both to represent you on VA benefits. As a condition of VA accreditation, attorneys must report any court, bar, or agency to which they are admitted, and must renew annually.
38 CFR § 14.629[5]A claims agent is an individual who is not an attorney but has been accredited by VA to prepare, present, and prosecute benefit claims. Claims agents are not lawyers. They are authorized only for VA benefits work, not legal representation in court.
All three types appear in the same search tool.
What It Means If Someone Does Not Appear in the Search
If you search for a person and get no results, that person is not currently authorized to represent you before VA. The absence of results is the answer.
VA's own search page states that a person who does not appear "may have an application for accreditation or recognition pending with the VA Office of the General Counsel."
VA OGC Accreditation Search[1]Pending is not accredited. An application in progress does not give someone authority to prepare or file your claim. Do not sign a representation authorization or a fee agreement with someone who does not appear in the search results.
Why Accreditation Is Required by Federal Law
Federal law prohibits any individual from acting as an agent or attorney in the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a VA benefits claim unless that person has been recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
38 USC § 5901[6]VA's own accreditation page states plainly that unaccredited individuals who prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims are in violation of federal law.
VA Benefits – Accredited Representatives[3]When VA receives a VA Form 21-22A (the appointment form for an attorney or claims agent) from an unaccredited person, VA will not recognize that person as your representative. VA will contact you directly and tell you to appoint an accredited representative instead. The accreditation search is what VA points you to for finding one.
VA OGC Accreditation FAQ[7]The legal risk here falls on you as the claimant, not just on the unaccredited person. A filing handled by someone without authorization may not be recognized, which can affect deadlines and how VA treats your claim.
Costs: What Accredited Help Actually Charges
VSO representatives may never charge you for work on your VA benefits claim. That is true regardless of the complexity of the claim, how long it takes, or the outcome.
VA.gov – Get Help from an Accredited Representative[4]Accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees, but only after an agency of original jurisdiction (the VA regional office handling your claim) has issued an initial decision on that claim.
38 CFR § 14.636[8]That fee timing rule is about when fees may be charged, not about when an attorney or agent is allowed to help you. An attorney or claims agent can represent you on an initial claim before any decision is issued. What the regulation prohibits is charging a fee for that representation before the initial decision comes out.
For appeals, the fee clock starts when VA issues an initial decision and a decision-review request or notice of disagreement has been filed. The regulation governs fees at each stage of representation.
38 CFR § 14.636[8]On fee amounts: a fee that does not exceed 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded is presumed reasonable under federal law. That presumption is not a cap on every agreement, just a threshold where VA presumes the fee is fair without further review.
38 USC § 5904[9]Only accredited attorneys and agents may receive fees at all. Anyone else charging you for VA claims work is acting outside what the law permits.
38 CFR § 14.636[8]How to Read Your Search Results Before Signing Anything
When you find someone in VA's accreditation database, the result tells you their accreditation type (VSO representative, attorney, or claims agent), the organization they are affiliated with if applicable, and their location.
What the search confirms is current accreditation status. It tells you that VA has authorized this person to help with benefits claims as of the last data refresh.
Before you appoint a representative or sign a fee agreement, confirm:
- The person appears in the search by name, not just organization.
- Their accreditation type matches what they told you they can do.
- If they are an attorney, that their bar license is current and in good standing (your state bar's public directory handles that part).
- If they plan to charge a fee, that you understand when fees may begin under your agreement and how they are calculated.
VA Form 21-22 is the appointment form for a VSO representative. VA Form 21-22A is the appointment form for an accredited attorney or claims agent. Both are separate from any fee agreement. Signing an appointment form appoints someone to act on your behalf before VA. Signing a fee agreement with an attorney or agent is a separate step that governs what you pay.
VA Form 21-22A Instructions[10] VA Form 21-22 Instructions[2]Read both documents before you sign either one.
Common questions
What happens if I let someone unaccredited file my VA claim?
VA will not recognize that person as your representative. Federal law prohibits unaccredited individuals from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting VA benefit claims. VA will contact you directly and ask you to appoint an accredited representative instead.
Does VA accreditation mean the same thing as being licensed to practice law?
No. VA accreditation is a separate authorization granted by VA's Office of General Counsel. A person can be VA-accredited without being a licensed attorney. Attorneys must also maintain their bar license to keep VA accreditation.
Can a VSO representative charge me for helping with my claim?
No. The services an accredited VSO representative provides on VA benefit claims are always free. Only accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees, and only after VA has issued an initial decision on your claim.
What if the person I searched for doesn't appear in VA's accreditation database?
They are not currently authorized to represent you. They may have an application pending, but pending is not accredited. Do not sign a fee agreement or authorization form with someone who does not appear in the search results.
How often does VA update its accreditation search results?
VA's accreditation data refreshes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening. If you are checking someone's status, search again close to when you plan to sign a representation agreement.
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Citations
- VA OGC Accreditation Search (VA OGC Accreditation Search)
- VA Form 21-22 Instructions (VA Form 21-22 Instructions)
- VA Benefits – Accredited Representatives (38 CFR § 14.629)
- VA.gov – Get Help from an Accredited Representative (VA.gov)
- 38 CFR § 14.629 (38 CFR § 14.629)
- 38 USC § 5901 (38 USC § 5901)
- VA OGC Accreditation FAQ (VA OGC Accreditation FAQ)
- 38 CFR § 14.636 (38 CFR § 14.636)
- 38 USC § 5904 (38 USC § 5904)
- VA Form 21-22A Instructions (VA Form 21-22A Instructions)