Mortgage pre-approval documents checklist.

Everyone

• Photo IDDriver's license or passport. Front and back, all four corners visible.
• Pay stubs, last 30 daysUsually the two most recent. Every page.
• W-2s, last 2 yearsOne for every job, each year.
• Bank statements, last 2 monthsEvery account you'll use for the down payment and closing costs. All pages, even the blank ones.
• Retirement or investment statementsMost recent statement for any 401(k), IRA or brokerage account you might draw from.
• Permission to check creditThe lender pulls your credit with your OK. Nothing to upload, but expect to sign for it.

If it applies to you

• Federal tax returns, last 2 yearsAll pages and schedules. Lenders almost always want these if you're self-employed, earn commission, or have rental income.
• Year-to-date profit and loss statementFor self-employed buyers. Some lenders also want a business bank statement.
• Gift letterIf family is helping with the down payment. Signed by the person giving it, with the amount and their relationship to you.
• Letter explaining large depositsAny deposit that isn't your paycheck, with a short note on where it came from.
• Divorce decree or child support orderIf you pay or receive support.
• Social Security or pension award letterIf that's part of your income.

What usually holds things up

• Missing pages. "Page 3 of 4" means the lender will ask again. Send every page, even the blank ones.
• Screenshots of a banking app. Most lenders want the official PDF statement from the bank's website.
• Old pay stubs. They need to cover the most recent 30 days.
• Unexplained deposits. A short note now saves a week later.

Questions

How long does a pre-approval take?
Often a day or two once the lender has every document. Most delays come from missing pages and follow-up requests.

How long is a pre-approval letter good for?
Commonly 60 to 90 days, depending on the lender. Sellers' agents usually want one dated recently.

Is pre-approval the same as pre-qualification?
No. Pre-qualification is usually a quick estimate from what you tell the lender. Pre-approval means the lender has checked your documents and credit.

Updated November 2026. Every lender, landlord and preparer is a little different, so treat this as a starting list, not legal or tax advice.