Exactly what the lender is going to ask you for
The lender’s whole folder. Put it together once and the process stops stalling out.
Money · 13 points
Who it’s for
You’re applying for a mortgage in the next few months.
What’s on the list
- 1
Valid photo ID. And if it applies to you, passport plus proof of your immigration status or visa.
- 2
Social Security number or ITIN, depending on the loan program. The ITIN comes from the IRS and it takes a while, so start early.
IRS — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) - 3
Complete tax returns for the last two years. Every schedule, nothing missing.
- 4
W-2s or 1099s for the last two years.
- 5
Pay stubs for the last 30 days.
- 6
Complete bank statements for the last two months. Every page. Yes, including the ones that say “this page intentionally left blank.”
- 7
Investment or retirement account statements, if any of that money is going toward the down payment.
- 8
Self-employed? Year-to-date profit and loss statement, business registration, and in a lot of cases a letter from your accountant.
- 9
A letter of explanation for any big deposit that didn’t come from payroll — plus proof of where it came from.
- 10
If the down payment is a gift: a signed gift letter from whoever’s giving it, plus proof of the transfer.
- 11
Two years of housing history — addresses and landlord contact info, or statements from your current mortgage.
- 12
If it applies to you: divorce decree, support order, or discharge papers from a bankruptcy that’s already closed out.
- 13
Buying from abroad? Proof of funds from your home-country bank, translated, plus a bank reference letter.
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