What documents do I need for a mortgage pre-approval?
Proof of income, a government photo ID and recent bank statements, plus your current mortgage statement if you're refinancing. Which income documents you need depends on how you're paid: salaried and hourly workers, retirees and self-employed borrowers each have a different list. A real pre-approval also means a completed application with your income verified, not a quick online quote.
Last updated September 29, 2026What does almost every borrower need?
- A government-issued photo ID
- Proof of income, which varies by how you're paid (below)
- Recent bank statements, to show your down payment, closing costs and reserves
- Your current mortgage statement and homeowners insurance declarations page, if you're refinancing
The lender also pulls your credit. On a purchase, you'll need homeowners insurance lined up before closing, but not for the pre-approval itself.
What else do I need, based on how I'm paid?
It depends on your situation:
- W-2 employee: a recent pay stub and your W-2s from the last one or two years. Two years is the common request, especially if part of your pay is bonus, commission, overtime or tips. For straightforward salary, some programs accept just the most recent year.
- Social Security, pension or retirement income: an award letter from Social Security or your plan documents that income in place of pay stubs and W-2s.
- Self-employed: usually two years of personal and business tax returns. If you've been in business five years or more, one year can sometimes be enough, depending on the program.
- Rental or commission income: expect to provide full tax returns, even if you also have a W-2 job.
Is a pre-approval the same as a pre-qualification?
No. A pre-qualification is usually an estimate built on numbers you report yourself, with nothing verified. A pre-approval requires a completed application and the lender checking your income and finances against the documents above. It takes more paperwork and a little more time, and it carries more weight with a seller when you make an offer.
| Pay stub | Most recent one, for W-2 borrowers |
|---|---|
| W-2s | Last one or two years; two is common with variable pay |
| Tax returns | Usually not needed for simple W-2 income; needed if self-employed or with rental or commission income |
| Self-employed returns | Two years, sometimes one after five years in business |
| Retirement income | An award letter |
| Bank statements | Recent statements showing your funds |
| Refinance extras | Mortgage statement and insurance declarations page |
Related questions
- do I Need a Home Appraisal for This Loan, or Can It Be Waived
- do I Have to Escrow Taxes and Insurance, and How Does It Affect My Payment
- will Refinancing Let You Skip a Mortgage Payment
- is There a Way to Lower My Monthly Payment, Such as Recasting, After I Sell My Home and Put a Lump Sum Toward My Mortgage
- how much home equity you can access
Sources
- https://yourhome.fanniemae.com/buy/home-loan-documents
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.3-01/base-income
- https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/originating-underwriting/income-assessment-simplified
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.4-15/social-security-income
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.4-03/annuity-pension-or-retirement-income
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-documents-are-needed-for-mortgage-preapproval
- https://www.zillow.com/learn/documents-needed-for-mortgage-preapproval
- https://www.bigvalleymortgage.com/documents-needed-for-a-mortgage-pre-approval-a-checklist
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/documents-needed-for-refinance
- https://www.usecanopy.com/blog/meeting-the-requirements-of-insurance-for-mortgage-lenders
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.3-02/bonus-commission-overtime-and-tip-income
- https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/section/5304.1
- https://www.zillow.com/learn/pre-qualification-vs-pre-approval
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/preapproval-vs-prequalification
Sourced from licensed loan officers and brokers in the FreeRateUpdate network.
Educational information only, not individualized financial or legal advice. Program details and rates change; verify current terms with a licensed loan officer before making a decision.