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Mortgage Pre-Approval Checklist: Documents You'll Need

Quick answer

For mortgage pre-approval, most lenders need a government ID, your last 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s (or tax returns if self-employed), two months of bank and investment statements, details on current debts, and explanations for any large deposits. Having everything ready can turn a pre-approval around in a day or two.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsLast updated

Pre-approval document checklist

  • Driver's license or passport
  • Social Security number (for the credit check)
  • Pay stubs covering the last 30 days
  • W-2s for the last 2 years
  • Federal tax returns for the last 2 years (if self-employed, commissioned or with rental income)
  • Bank statements for the last 2 months (all pages)
  • Retirement and brokerage statements
  • Gift letter if family is helping with the down payment
  • Divorce decree or child support orders, if applicable
  • Bankruptcy discharge papers, if applicable

Extra documents for self-employed buyers

  • 2 years of business tax returns
  • Year-to-date profit and loss statement
  • Business license or CPA letter
  • Business bank statements

Frequently asked questions

Lenders must confirm funds aren't an undisclosed loan. A gift letter, sale receipt or transfer statement usually resolves it.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.