A visual companion to the document checklist - scroll to see every category, or save/print as an image.

Buyer education

Gather these first.
Then apply with speed.

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.

The document categories
👤

Identity

  • Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • Social Security number for credit pull authorization
  • Secondary ID if requested
  • 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
  • Documentation of any large deposits
  • Gift letter if any portion of funds is a gift
📈

Income

W-2 / salaried employees

  • 2 years of W-2 forms from all employers
  • 30 days of most recent pay stubs
  • 2 years of federal tax returns - all schedules

Self-employed / 1099 / business owners

  • 2 years of personal and business tax returns
  • Year-to-date profit and loss statement
  • 12-24 months of business bank statements
📄

If Applicable

  • VA Certificate of Eligibility for VA loan applicants
  • Divorce decree if alimony or child support is involved
  • Gift letter from donor with required details
  • Bankruptcy or foreclosure documentation within 7 years
Pro tips

Send PDFs, not photos

Phone snapshots are often blurry, cropped, or unreadable by underwriting software.

Send every page

A statement with even one page missing will be kicked back and slow you down.

Match your name exactly

The name on your ID, pay stubs, and returns should all be consistent to avoid delays.

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.

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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.