Applicant Information
Name, street address, city, state and ZIP code, telephone number and an e-mail address if there is one.
10-253
Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy
- Agency
- VA
- Revision
- May 2020
- Fillable fields
- 14
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- VA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
VA Form 10-253: Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy
VA Form 10-253 is the Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy. An Authorized Endorsing Official of a religious organization or faith group uses it to certify that an applicant is in good standing, is qualified to perform the full range of ministry required by persons of that faith group, and is authorized to represent it in ministry to veterans and others who receive care from Veterans Health Administration facilities.
The form is two pages: the endorsement on page 1 and an information page with definitions of each chaplain category on page 2. Its note says it is not a Federal form, and that an endorsement may be submitted in any format as long as the applicant information, the certification and the authorized official's signature are included.
You can fill out the PDF free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on VA Form 10-253
Endorsement
A certification that the named individual is in good standing with the religious organization or faith group, qualified to perform its full range of ministry and authorized to represent it in VHA facilities.
Chaplain categories
Check boxes for Full time, Part time, Intermittent, Contract and Fee Basis Chaplain, or All Categories.
Additional comments
Space for any comments the endorser wants to make. Page 2 gives the example of stating a time limitation for a time limited endorsement.
Official's signature block
Signature of the Authorized Endorsing Official in ink, the date signed, the official's typed or printed name and phone number.
Page 2 information
Where to send it, how to use the comments section, definitions of each chaplain category and a note on how recent the endorsement is.
How to fill out VA Form 10-253
- 1
Enter the applicant's details
Fill in the applicant's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
- 2
Name the faith group
Write the name of the religious organization or faith group in the endorsement sentence.
- 3
Check the chaplain categories
Mark the categories the official endorses the applicant for, or All Categories. Page 2 defines each one.
- 4
Add comments if desired
Use Additional Comments for anything the endorser wants to add, such as a time limit on the endorsement.
- 5
Sign in ink and date it
The Authorized Endorsing Official signs in ink, dates it and adds a typed or printed name and phone number.
- 6
Submit as the job announcement says
Page 2 says applicants submit their endorsement in accordance with instructions given in job announcements.
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Where it goes
Follow the job announcement
Page 2 says applicants are responsible for submitting their ecclesiastical endorsement in accordance with instructions given in job announcements.
Not to the National VA Chaplain Service
The form says not to send endorsements to the National VA Chaplain Service.
Any format accepted
The note says the endorsement requirement is described in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1, and that an endorsement may be submitted in any format as long as it holds the applicant information, the certification and the authorized official's signature.
How recent
Page 2 says each applicant must have an endorsement dated within the past year at the time they begin work for VA, and that VA Chaplains do not have to get updated endorsements after they are hired.
Edition
The footer reads VA FORM 10-253, MAY 2020.
Related forms
Who uses VA Form 10-253?
The form names the applicant, the endorsing official and the faith group.
Official sources and the blank
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Questions about Form 10-253
Who signs VA Form 10-253?
The Authorized Endorsing Official of the religious organization or faith group, in ink, with the date, a typed or printed name and a phone number.
Where is VA Form 10-253 sent?
The form says applicants submit it in accordance with instructions given in job announcements, and not to the National VA Chaplain Service.
Does the endorsement have to be on this form?
No. The form's note says it is not a Federal form and that an endorsement may be submitted in any format as long as the applicant information, the certification and the authorized official's signature are included.
How recent does the endorsement need to be?
Page 2 says each applicant must have an endorsement dated within the past year at the time they begin work for VA.
Do VA chaplains renew their endorsement after hiring?
Page 2 says VA Chaplains do not have to get updated endorsements after they are hired.
What is a fee basis chaplain?
The form defines fee basis chaplains as clergy appointed at VA health care facilities to provide specified services for which they are compensated by fees. They are covered by Social Security (FICA) but receive no other benefits.