What documents does my buyer need for a mortgage pre-approval?

Rob Miller, Branch Manager at MadCity Home Loans, gives Realtors the exact checklist to send buyers before their first call with us.

What documents does my buyer need for a mortgage pre-approval?

Getting your buyer's documents ready upfront is one of the fastest ways to speed up the pre-approval process and prevent last-minute surprises. Here's exactly what I need:

For W-2 Employees (Salaried or Hourly)

• Last 2 years of W-2s (from every employer)
• Last 30 days of pay stubs
• Last 2 months of bank statements (all pages, all accounts)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security number (for credit pull authorization)

For Self-Employed Buyers

• Last 2 years of personal tax returns (all schedules)
• Last 2 years of business tax returns (if applicable)
• Year-to-date Profit & Loss statement
• Last 2 months of personal and business bank statements

For All Buyers — Additional Items as Needed

• Divorce decree / child support order (if applicable)
• Gift letter (if receiving gift funds for down payment)
• Landlord contact information (if renting and no mortgage history)
• DD-214 or Certificate of Eligibility (for VA loans)
• Proof of retirement income, Social Security, or other income sources

Pro Tip for Realtors

Send your buyer this list before you introduce them to us. Buyers who show up to that first call with documents in hand get a same-day pre-approval in most cases. Buyers who don't have them can take 3–5 days longer — and in a fast market, that gap matters.

---

Related Guide: Share our full Mortgage Pre-Approval Guide with your buyers so they know exactly what to expect.