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Mortgage Document Checklist
Gather these documents before your loan application to keep the process moving quickly and avoid unnecessary delays.
Standard Documents Every Borrower Needs
These core documents are required for virtually every mortgage application, regardless of loan type. Having them ready from day one can shave days off your processing timeline.
✓Pay Stubs (Most Recent 30 Days) — Provide stubs from every employer if you hold multiple jobs. Year-to-date earnings should be visible on at least one stub.
✓Bank Statements (Most Recent 2 Months) — All pages from every checking, savings, and money market account you own. Digital statements are accepted as long as account holder name and institution are clearly printed.
✓W-2 Forms (Past 2 Years) — Copies from every employer during the previous two tax years. If a W-2 is missing, request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS.
✓Federal Tax Returns (Past 2 Years) — Required if you file a Schedule C, E, or F, or if you claim employee business expenses. All schedules and attachments must be included.
✓State-Issued Photo ID — A valid, non-expired driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Both the front and back should be copied clearly.
VA Loan Documents
Active-duty service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses applying for a VA-backed mortgage will need these additional items.
✓DD-214 (Certificate of Release) — Required if you were discharged from military service within the past two years. This confirms your service dates and discharge status.
✓Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) — Needed when active-duty military pay is part of your qualifying income. Should reflect the most recent pay period.
✓Proof of Additional Military or VA Pay — This includes BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), BAS, disability compensation, or any special pay documented by the VA or DoD.
Additional Documents (If Applicable)
Depending on your financial history, your loan officer may request one or more of these supplementary documents during underwriting.
✓Bankruptcy Discharge Papers — If a bankruptcy was discharged within the last 7 years, include the discharge order and the full petition with all schedules.
✓Foreclosure Documentation — A copy of the Sheriff Sale Deed or equivalent foreclosure completion document from your county recorder’s office.
✓Divorce Decree — Required when there is an ongoing financial obligation (alimony, child support) or when a property award is part of the settlement.
✓Social Security Award Letter — The annual benefits letter from the SSA confirming your current monthly benefit amount.
✓Income Award Letters — Documentation for any non-employment income: Social Security, pension, VA disability, or long-term disability benefits.
✓Retirement & Investment Account Statements — Current 401(k), IRA, brokerage, or other investment account statements showing your name, balance, and account number.
Tips for a Smooth Submission
Scan Everything Clearly
Blurry or cropped documents are the number-one cause of re-requests. Use a flatbed scanner or a high-quality phone scanner app and verify every page is legible before uploading.
Include All Pages
Even blank pages in a bank statement matter. Underwriters flag missing pages as incomplete documentation, which can stall your file for days.
Label Your Files
Name each file clearly — for example, LastName_BankStatement_Jan2026.pdf. This helps your loan officer match documents to the right checklist item immediately.
Ask Early, Ask Often
Unsure whether a document applies to your situation? Contact your loan officer before the application deadline rather than guessing.
Ready to Start Your Application?
Have your documents in hand? Begin your mortgage application today or call us at (844) 241-7720.
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