Mortgage Pre-Approval Documents Checklist
A pre-approval means a lender has checked your credit and documents and says how much they'd likely lend. Sellers take offers with a pre-approval more seriously. Have these ready to save weeks of back-and-forth.
Identity
- ☐ Photo ID
- ☐ Social Security number (for the credit check)
Income
- ☐ Pay stubs for the last 30 days
- ☐ W-2s for the last two years
- ☐ Federal tax returns for the last two years (often required for self-employed, commission or rental income)
- ☐ Proof of other income: bonuses, child support, Social Security, pensions
Self-employed
- ☐ Two years of personal and business tax returns
- ☐ A year-to-date profit and loss statement
- ☐ Business license or a CPA letter, if asked
Assets
- ☐ Bank statements for the last two months, all pages (even blank ones)
- ☐ Retirement and investment account statements
- ☐ Explanations for large deposits that aren't payroll
- ☐ A gift letter if family is helping with the down payment (the lender will have its own form)
Debts
- ☐ Car loans, student loans, credit cards (the credit report shows most)
- ☐ Child support or alimony obligations
- ☐ Current rent or mortgage
Other
- ☐ Divorce decree, if any
- ☐ Bankruptcy or foreclosure papers, if any
- ☐ Letter explaining gaps in employment, if asked
Tips
- Apply with two or three lenders within a short period. Credit scoring models generally treat mortgage inquiries in a short window as one.
- Ask each lender for a Loan Estimate so you can compare offers.
- Don't move money around or open new credit while you're being approved.
General information, not financial advice. Requirements vary by lender and loan type.
The First-Time Home Buyer Binder includes this list as a printable checklist and a lender comparison sheet.
First-Time Home Buyer Binder — $17
18-page binder from pre-approval to closing: affordability worksheet, Loan Estimate comparison, showing scorecard, inspection, wire-fraud check and closing day. Instant download: PDF + DOCX + XLSX.
Get the First-Time Home Buyer BinderFamily Paperwork Bundle — $34More guides
- First-Time Home Buyer Checklist: 10 Steps From Savings to Keys
- How Much House Can I Afford? A Worksheet for First-Time Buyers
- How To Compare Loan Estimates (Line by Line)
- House Hunting Checklist: What To Check at Every Showing
- Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers: What To Ask and Look For
- Closing Disclosure Checklist: What To Check Before Closing
- Real Estate Wire Fraud: How To Protect Your Down Payment
- Final Walkthrough and Closing Day Checklist for Buyers
- First Month as a Homeowner: The New Owner Checklist