You will need: 2 years of W-2s and tax returns, 30 days of pay stubs, 2-3 months of bank statements, government-issued ID, Social Security number, gift letter (if applicable), and documentation of any other income or assets.
Self-employed borrowers also need 2 years of business tax returns and a year-to-date profit and loss statement.
Employment Documents
- Last 2 years of W-2s (or tax returns if self-employed)
- Last 30 days of pay stubs (covering a full month)
- 2 years of complete tax returns (all pages and schedules)
- Employment verification (lender may call your employer)
Financial Documents
- 2-3 months of all bank statements (checking, savings, money market)
- 2-3 months of investment account statements
- Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, Roth IRA)
- Documentation of any other assets (real estate, vehicles, etc.)
Identity Documents
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- Social Security number (for credit pull)
- Green card or visa (if not a US citizen)
Self-Employment Additional Docs
- 2 years of business tax returns (all schedules)
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement (signed by CPA or borrower)
- Business license or proof of business existence
- Business bank statements (if applicable)
Gift Documentation
If you receive a gift for your down payment, the donor must provide a signed gift letter stating the money is a gift (not a loan), and you need to show the donor's bank statement proving they had the funds to give.
Common Delays
- Missing documents — The most common cause of delays is submitting incomplete files
- Large deposits — Unexplained deposits require additional documentation
- Name changes — If your name differs on documents, provide proof of the change
- Expired documents — Bank statements and pay stubs must be current
