Tip: press Cmd/Ctrl+P and choose "Save as PDF" to export this handout.

Buyer education - keep this one

The Document Checklist

Gathering documents before you apply - not after - is the single biggest speed-up in the mortgage process. Here is what virtually every lender needs, organized by category. "If Applicable" items are only required for borrowers who match that situation.

👤 Identity
  • Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • Social Security number (for credit pull authorization)
  • Secondary ID if requested (utility bill, bank statement)
  • Green card or visa documentation if not a U.S. citizen
🏭 Assets
  • 2 months of bank statements - ALL pages, ALL accounts
  • Retirement and investment account statements (most recent)
  • Documentation of any large deposits (see pro tip below)
  • Gift letter if any portion of funds is a gift from family
  • Proceeds statement if selling a current home to fund the purchase
📈 Income - W-2 employees and self-employed
W-2 / Salaried employees
  • 2 years of W-2 forms from all employers
  • 30 days of most recent pay stubs (all income sources)
  • 2 years of federal tax returns - all schedules
  • Social Security / pension award letters (if applicable)
  • Rental income: leases + 2 years Schedule E
Self-employed / 1099 / business owners
  • 2 years of personal federal tax returns - all pages
  • 2 years of business tax returns (partnerships, S-corps)
  • Year-to-date profit and loss statement
  • 12-24 months of business bank statements
  • CPA letter confirming self-employment (if requested)
📄 If Applicable - only for borrowers who match
  • VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) - for VA loan applicants; we can often obtain this for you
  • Divorce decree / separation agreement - if paying or receiving alimony or child support, or if prior-marriage property is involved
  • Gift letter from donor - if any closing funds are a gift; must include donor name, relationship, amount, and a statement that no repayment is required
  • Bankruptcy discharge papers - if you had a bankruptcy within the past 7 years
  • Foreclosure or short sale documentation - if within the past 7 years
  • Landlord contact - if renting and lender wants to verify rent payment history
Pro tip
  • Send PDFs - not photos. Phone snapshots are often blurry, cropped, or unreadable by underwriting software.
  • Send all pages, even blank ones. A 12-page bank statement with page 8 missing will be kicked back.
  • Names must match exactly. The name on your ID, pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns should all be consistent. Discrepancies cause delays.
Scan to start your application

Ready to apply? We make it easy.

Scan the code or reach out. We send you a secure upload link and walk you through exactly what we need for your specific situation - no guessing.

Equal Housing Opportunity. {{lo.company}}, NMLS #{{lo.nmls}} (Company NMLS #{{compliance.companyNmls}}). This material is educational only and is not a commitment to lend, an offer of credit, or a fee quote; all loans are subject to underwriting approval. Document requirements vary by loan program, lender, and individual borrower circumstances; your loan officer will provide a complete, personalized list at application. This co-marketed material is shared by each party at its fair-market-value cost consistent with RESPA Section 8; no party pays for referrals and none are required.