A practical mortgage document checklist

Start with your actual request list

This checklist is a preparation tool, not a universal requirement. Documentation depends on the program, lender, income sources, and transaction. Follow the specific dates and instructions in your portal, and ask before paying for or sending records you are unsure are needed.

Identity, income, and employment

• Government-issued identification and the personal details requested in the secure application.
• Recent pay statements and wage or income forms appropriate to your employment.
• Tax returns, business records, and year-to-date figures when required for self-employment.
• Documentation for other income you choose to use for qualification.

You do not have to disclose alimony, child support, or separate maintenance income unless you want it considered as a basis for repayment. Tell the team about income changes so it can explain what can be used and how it must be documented.

Assets and funds for the transaction

• Complete statements for accounts being used for the down payment, costs, or reserves.
• Records for transfers or deposits the lender asks you to document.
• Gift documentation when gift funds are permitted and being used.
• Information about other property, mortgages, and proceeds from a planned sale.

Keep an understandable trail for funds. Ask before moving large amounts or depositing cash; the lender may need to verify the source and whether the funds are eligible.

Property and transaction details

For a purchase, the team may need the signed contract, amendments, agent and escrow contacts, and insurance information. For a refinance, current mortgage statements and information about any other liens help establish the starting point. Additional property or HOA documents may be requested.

Send complete records through a secure channel

Include all requested pages, even when one is blank, and make sure names, dates, and figures are legible. Avoid editing or cropping records in a way that removes information. Use the secure ARIVE portal or another approved secure method—not the general inquiry form or ordinary email—for sensitive documents.

If you have already applied, use your existing portal and ask the team about any item you cannot obtain. A clear explanation is more useful than guessing or sending unrelated records.