Mortgage Document Checklist

Everything a lender will ask for, gathered in one place before you apply.

The short answer

Lenders verify four things: who you are, what you earn, what you have saved and what you are buying. Having two years of tax returns and W-2s, 30 days of pay stubs, two months of bank statements, a photo ID and the purchase contract ready on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to keep a file on schedule.

Key things to know

  • Photo ID and Social Security verification at closing (not required for your quote)
  • Last 30 days of pay stubs and two years of W-2s
  • Two years of tax returns if self-employed or commissioned
  • Two months of statements for every account used for down payment
  • Purchase contract, homeowners insurance quote and HOA details
  • Read the full guide

    The Complete Mortgage Document Checklist

    Keep exploring

    Mortgage Process Timeline

    A clear, stage-by-stage view of what happens between the day you apply and the day you sign at closing.

    Closing Costs Explained

    A plain-language breakdown of every fee on your Loan Estimate and which ones you can actually shop.

    Credit Score to Buy a House

    What score you need by program, and what to do if you are close but not quite there.

    How Much Down Payment Do You Need?

    Real minimums by program, and the trade-off between a smaller down payment and monthly cost.

    Have a question about your situation?

    Talk with a licensed mortgage broker serving CA, CO, TX and WA. No SSN required to get started.