Mortgage Documentation Checklist

← Back to How the Mortgage Process Works

A mortgage documentation checklist helps borrowers understand which documents are required for loan approval. By preparing income, asset, credit, and property documentation early, you can reduce underwriting delays, avoid last-minute surprises, and keep your mortgage process moving smoothly from application to closing.

The documentation requirements below outline commonly requested items for purchase loans, refinance loans, and VA loans. Not every document applies to every borrower, and guidance will always be provided if additional clarification is needed.

Mortgage Documentation Checklist by Loan Program

Purchase Loans

. Unexpired Government-Issued Photo ID (Drivers License / Military ID / US Passport)

. Social Security Card

. Permanent Resident Alien Card or Visa (If Applicable)

. Most recent 30 day of paystubs

. Most recent 2 years of W2’s or 1099’s

. Verification of Employment (for verification of bonus, overtime, differential and or commissions)

. Employment offer letter (for new employment, if applicable)

. Most recent 2 months of bank statements (all pages – including blank pages)

. 2 most recent retirement, pension, investment brokerage, and or crypto statements

. Gift letter and 1 month donor account bank statement (all pages – including blank pages)

. Most recent 2 years of Personal Income Tax Returns

. Most recent 2 years of Business Income Tax Returns including Schedule K

. Most recent 2 years W2 and or 1099’s

. IRS transcripts may be requested during underwriting process

. Final Divorce Decree & Marital Settlement Agreement (if applicable)

. Child support Agreement

. Alimony support Agreement (if applicable)

. Explanation letters of credit inquiries, employment gaps in employment, and or large deposits

. Student Loan Repayment Plan Agreement

. Approved Tax Return Installation Agreement showing payment plan

Refinance Loans

. Unexpired Government-Issued Photo ID (Drivers License / Military ID / US Passport)

. Social Security Card

. Permanent Resident Alien Card or Visa (If Applicable)

. Most recent 30 day of paystubs

. Most recent 2 years of W2’s or 1099’s

. Verification of Employment (for verification of bonus, overtime, differential and or commissions)

. Employment offer letter (for new employment, if applicable)

. Proof of Pension (if applicable)

. Proof of SSI Benefits – Benefits Award Letter – if applicable

. Most recent 2 months of bank statements (all pages – including blank pages)

. 2 most recent retirement, 401K, IRA, pension, investment brokerage, and or crypto statements – all pages – if applicable

. Most recent 2 years of Personal Income Tax Returns

. Most recent 2 years of Business Income Tax Returns including Schedule K

. Most recent 2 years W2 and or 1099’s

. IRS transcripts may be requested during underwriting process

. Current Mortgage statement

. Homeowners Insurance and Flood Policy Declaration Page

HOA coupon/statement/ or ledger (if applicable)

. Survey and Elevation Certificate from purchase is good for 10 years (if applicable)

. Payoff Statement good for 30 days

. Mortgage statement, Insurance, Flood Policy, HOA coupon/statement or ledger for all investment properties. (if applicable)

. Final Divorce Decree & Marital Settlement Agreement (if applicable)

. Child support Agreement

. Alimony support Agreement (if applicable)

. Explanation letters of credit inquiries, employment gaps in employment, and or large deposits

. Student Loan Repayment Plan Agreement

. Approved Tax Return Installation Agreement showing payment plan

Va Loans

. Unexpired Government-Issued Photo ID (Drivers License / Military ID / US Passport)

. Social Security Card

. Permanent Resident Alien Card or Visa (If Applicable)

. Certificate of Eligibility

. DD-214

. Most recent 30 day of paystubs

. Most recent 2 years of W2’s or 1099’s

. Most recent 2 years Personal Tax Returns

. Most recent 2 years Business Tax Returns including Schedule K income (if applicable)

. Verification of Employment (for verification of bonus, overtime, differential and or commissions)

. Employment offer letter (for new employment, if applicable)

. VA Disability Award Letter

. VA Proof of Pension

. Proog of Social Security Benefits – Award Letter with Seal

. Most recent 2 months of bank statements (all pages – including blank pages)

. 2 most recent retirement, 401k , IRA, pension, investment brokerage, and or crypto statements

. Gift letter and 1 month donor account bank statement (all pages – including blank pages)

. Statement of Service (Active Duty Only)

. Explanation Letters if needed

. Final Divorce Decree & Marital Settlement Agreement

. Child Support Order (if applicable)

. Alimony Support Order (if applicable)

. Approved Tax Return Installation Agreement showing payment plan

These loans are designed to expedited underwriting and minimal documentation requirements but they must be to refinance a previous VA Loan.

. Current Mortgage Statement

. Proof of existing VA loan

Self-Employed / 1099

. Unexpired Government-Issued Photo ID (Drivers License / Military ID / US Passport)

. Social Security Card

. Permanent Resident Alien Card or Visa (If Applicable)

. Most recent 2 years of Business Tax Returns all pages and Schedules including Schedule K

. Year-To-Date Profit & Loss Statement

. Year-To-Date Balance Sheet

. Business License (if applicable)

. CPA Letter stating percentage of ownership of business, operating phone number, address and type of business.

. Approved Tax Return Installation Agreement showing payment plan – if applicable

. Most recent 2-12 months of personal & business bank statements

. If there will be use of Business Funds to close – CPA letter stating Business Owner is authorized 100% use of funds and that it will not be to the detriment of the business – will be necessary.

Depending on whether the Business pays certain liabilities (car installments, credit cards, etc) the guideline requires 12 months consecutive payment from the business account and proof it is deducted from the Business Tax Return

Investment Properties & DSCR

. Unexpired Government-Issued Photo ID (Drivers License / Military ID / US Passport)

. Social Security Card

. Permanent Resident Alien Card or Visa (If Applicable)

. Most recent 12-24 months of personal & business bank statements in the event the program is a 12 / 24 month bank statement program. Otherwise a standard 2 months of bank statements will suffice.

. Lease Agreements (if applicable)

. Rent roll (for multi-unit properties)

. Current Mortgage Statement for other properties (if applicable)

. Schedule of Real Estate Owned (list of properties owned if applicable)

. Current homeowners, flood and HOA Coupon/Statement or Ledger (if applicable)

. LLC Documentation (if vesting in an entity name)

. Operating Agreement (if applicable)

. Approved Tax Return Installation Agreement showing payment plan

Reverse Mortgage

. Unexpired Government-Issued Photo ID (Drivers License / Military ID / US Passport)

. Social Security Card

. Permanent Resident Alien Card or Visa (If Applicable)

. Proof of age (must meet program minimum of 62) for all owners on the deed

. HUD Approved Reverse Mortgage Counseling Certificate

. Deed

. Homeowners Insurance, Flood policy and HOA coupon/statement or ledger (if applicable)

. Most recent Property Tax Bill

. Statement of Current Mortgage or Satisfaction of Mortgage

. Most recent 2 months of personal & business bank statements

. Trust documentation (if property is held in Trust)

. Power of Attorney (if applicable)

. Clear copy of Death Certificate for Spouse or named party on Deed – if applicable

. Most recent 30 days paystubs (if applicable)

. Last 2 years W2’s and or 1099 (if applicable)

. Last 2 years Tax Returns (if applicable)

. Social Security Benefits Award Letter (if applicable)

. Retirement Pension Award Letter (if applicable)

. Approved Tax Return Installation Agreement showing payment plan

Documentation requirements may vary based on loan program, borrower profile, and underwriting review. Additional items may be requested as needed to ensure accuracy and compliance.


Ready to start your mortgage journey?

Apply securely online

Secure. No obligation. No impact to credit.

Not quite ready? Schedule a strategy call

Let’s discuss options

Ideal if you’re comparing options or timelines