Purchase · 5 min read
What documents do I need to get pre-approved for a mortgage?
October 14, 2026 · Written by Bill Egan, NMLS 7342
Short answer
You need proof of your income, your assets, your identity, and permission for us to pull your credit. For most W-2 employees that means the last 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s, two months of bank statements, and a photo ID. We use these to build your file and write a pre-approval letter that shows what you can borrow. Gather them before you apply so the process moves faster.
01
Why this comes up
First-time buyers often hear they need a pre-approval letter before they shop, but no one lists the papers. They worry they are missing something that will slow them down or make them look unprepared.
02
Where this goes wrong
Someone applies with a screenshot of a bank balance or only one pay stub. The underwriter needs full statements and year-to-date figures. Incomplete papers delay the letter or force a second request right when the buyer has found a house.
03
What we do about it
We send a short checklist matched to your job type as soon as you start the application. We review what you upload the same day and tell you exactly which pages are still missing so you can finish the file before you write an offer.
04
How to get ready
Pull the last two months of every bank statement you will use, the last 30 days of pay stubs, and last year’s W-2. Have a photo ID ready. Do this before you talk to an agent so the letter is already in hand.