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Mortgage Document Checklist for Pre-Approval

Scattered or missing paperwork is one of the top causes of mortgage delays. Gather these before you apply and pre-approval becomes a formality instead of a fire drill.

Proof of income

• Pay stubs from the last 30 days
• W-2 forms from the past two years (and 1099s if applicable)
• Federal tax returns from the past two years
• If self-employed: two years of returns, profit-and-loss statements, and possibly business bank statements

Proof of assets

• Bank statements from the last two months (checking and savings)
• Retirement and investment account statements
• Documentation for your down payment source — and a gift letter if any funds are a gift

Identity and background

• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security number for the credit check
• Residence history for the past two years

Debts and obligations

• Statements for car loans, student loans, and other installment debt
• Minimum payments on credit cards
• Records of alimony or child support, if applicable

Why it matters

Lenders verify everything, and a single missing statement can stall an approval for days. Keeping these in one folder (digital or physical) also gives you an honest snapshot of your finances before a lender ever sees them — which is the whole point of getting ready.

Not sure whether your documents — and the rest of your profile — are in shape? A two-minute readiness check flags exactly what's missing.