Documents you need for a mortgage

Gathering your documents early makes the process faster. The exact list depends on your income type and the loan, and your loan officer may ask for more. This checklist covers what is usually needed.

Everyone

• A government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number.
• The last two months of bank statements for every account you will use, with all pages.
• Statements for retirement or investment accounts if you will use them for funds or reserves.
• A written explanation and paperwork for any large deposit that is not from your paycheck.
• A gift letter if a family member is giving you part of the down payment.
• Your address history for the past two years, and landlord contact if you rent.

Income by type

• W-2 employees: pay stubs covering the last 30 days and W-2s for the last two years.
• Self-employed borrowers: tax returns for the last two years (personal and business), a year-to-date profit and loss statement, and sometimes a business license or CPA letter.
• Retired borrowers: Social Security award letters, pension or annuity statements, and retirement account statements if drawing from them.
• Rental income: leases and tax returns showing rental income, or an appraiser's rent estimate for a new rental.
• Other income such as alimony, child support or bonuses: documents showing the amount and how long it will continue.

Property documents

• The signed purchase contract and any addenda.
• Homeowners insurance quote or policy, and flood insurance if the property needs it.
• HOA or condo information, including dues, budget and any special assessments.
• For a refinance: your current mortgage statement, homeowners insurance declarations page and the latest property tax bill.

Loan-specific documents

• VA loans: a Certificate of Eligibility.
• Down payment assistance: any program paperwork and a homebuyer education certificate.
• Investment and DSCR loans: entity documents if buying in an LLC, and current leases.

Tips

Provide complete documents, with every page, and respond quickly to requests. Do not open new credit, change jobs or move large sums of money without telling your loan officer first, since these can change your approval. Get pre-qualified to see what else applies to your situation, with no obligation, and no credit check for the first conversation.