Mortgage Application Checklist
The documents lenders ask for, gathered in one list. Pull these together before you apply and the file moves faster from application to closing.
Identity and income
Underwriting starts with who you are and what you earn. Have these ready:
- Government-issued photo ID and Social Security number.
- Pay stubs covering the most recent 30 days.
- W-2 forms for the last two years.
- Contact information for employers over the last two years.
Assets and accounts
Lenders verify that the money for your down payment and closing costs is yours and is where you say it is:
- Bank statements for the last two months, all pages, for checking and savings accounts.
- Statements for retirement and investment accounts if those funds are part of the purchase.
The property
Once you have a home under contract, the file needs the transaction details:
- The signed purchase contract with all riders and addenda.
- Proof of your earnest money deposit.
- Names and contact information for the parties involved: real estate agents, the builder if new construction, your insurance agent, and any attorney.
Situations that need more
Some files need documents beyond the standard list. Self-employed borrowers should expect to provide business tax returns, a profit and loss statement, and sometimes business bank statements. VA loans need a Certificate of Eligibility, which we can help you request. If you have owned real estate before, bring mortgage statements and, if you rent the property out, lease agreements. Past bankruptcy or divorce requires the discharge paperwork or the full decree.
Every file is different, so treat this list as the starting point. When underwriting asks for something specific, sending it promptly is the single best way to keep your closing date on schedule.
Related: How to Speed Up Your Loan Process · Get Started · First-Time Homebuyers · Credit
Application Checklist questions we hear most
Do I need all of this before I talk to you?
No. A first conversation needs nothing but your situation and your goals. The documents come into play when you are ready to get pre-approved, and we will tell you exactly which ones your file needs.
Why does the lender need every page of my bank statement?
Underwriting guidelines require complete documents, including the pages that look blank or irrelevant. A statement with missing pages gets sent back, which delays the file.
What if part of my down payment is a gift from family?
That is common and allowed on many programs. The lender will ask for a signed gift letter and a record of the transfer so the funds can be documented properly.
I'm self-employed. Is the process harder?
It takes more paperwork, not more luck. Two years of business and personal tax returns are the core of the file, and we will walk through what your specific business structure requires before you apply.
Questions about your own file? Ask us directly.
Start your secure application online and one of our loan officers takes it from there.
Not ready to share your information yet? Request a callback and we'll talk through your options first.