What you need depends on how you'll qualify. W-2 borrowers document income with pay stubs and W-2s, self-employed borrowers often use bank statements or tax returns, and investors using a DSCR loan may not need income documents at all.
Everyone Needs
- Government-issued photo ID
- Two recent months of bank and investment statements, all pages, for the down payment and reserves
- Explanation and documentation for large, unusual deposits
- Homeowners insurance contact or quote
- For a purchase: the signed purchase contract
- For a refinance: your current mortgage statement
W-2 Employees (Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo)
- Pay stubs covering the last 30 days
- W-2s for the last two years
- Tax returns if you have other income, such as rental income
- For VA: your Certificate of Eligibility, which I can usually request for you
Self-Employed
- Bank statement loan: 12 or 24 months of business or personal statements, plus proof of business ownership such as a business license or CPA letter
- P&L loan: a 12 or 24-month profit and loss statement from your CPA or tax preparer
- 1099 loan: one or two years of 1099s
- Conventional: two years of personal and business tax returns, and often a year-to-date P&L
Real Estate Investors (DSCR)
- Lease agreement, if the property is rented
- LLC documents if you're borrowing in an entity: articles, operating agreement, EIN letter, and good standing
- Schedule of other properties you own, for some lenders
- No pay stubs, W-2s, or tax returns for a DSCR loan
Tips to Avoid Delays
- Send every page of each statement, even blank ones.
- Don't move money between accounts without keeping a paper trail.
- Avoid new credit and large purchases until after closing.
Coming soon: a secure NoDocNation client portal for uploading documents and tracking your loan status. Until then, I'll send you a secure link when it's time to share documents. Please don't email sensitive files.
Mortgage Documents FAQ
How many months of bank statements do I need for a mortgage?
Usually two months for your down payment and reserves. Bank statement loans use 12 or 24 months to calculate income.
Do I need tax returns to get a mortgage?
Not always. DSCR, bank statement, P&L, 1099, asset depletion, and WVOE loans don't use tax returns.
How should I send my documents?
Use the secure method your loan officer provides. Avoid emailing sensitive documents.
In the financial industry since 2015. Licensed loan officer in Los Angeles, California. NMLS #1493724, with UTM Financial, LLC (NMLS #2591548). More about Ivan
This article is general education, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Loan guidelines vary by lender and change often. Not a commitment to lend.