Seattle Mortgage Pre-Approval – Document Checklist
To issue a true mortgage pre-approval (not a pre-qualification), we review documents upfront.
This allows us to verify your information, strengthen your offer, and reduce last-minute issues once you are under contract.
Please review the checklist below and gather the items that apply to your situation.
Required for Most Borrowers
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
- W-2s for the most recent two years
- Most recent 30 days of pay stubs
- Bank statements for the most recent two months
- All pages, including blank pages
- Authorization to pull credit
If You Are Self-Employed or Own a Business
- Personal tax returns (last two years)
- Business tax returns (last two years, if applicable)
- Year-to-date Profit & Loss statement
- Business bank statements (if requested)
Self-employed income requires additional review, so starting early is especially important.
If You Own Other Real Estate
- Most recent mortgage statement(s) for each property
- Property tax and insurance information (if available)
- Rental documentation (lease agreements and/or Schedule E, if applicable)
If You Are Married but Applying in One Name (Washington State)
- Confirmation that your spouse is available to sign non-financial documents only, if required by escrow or title
- Clarification on whether down-payment funds are from a joint or separate account
Washington is a community property state. Even when only one spouse is on the loan,
limited spousal documentation may be required. This will be explained clearly before closing.
Why We Review Documents Upfront
- Sellers expect financing to be vetted
- Listing agents verify lender credibility
- Offers often move quickly in the Seattle market
A document-reviewed pre-approval:
- Strengthens your offer
- Reduces underwriting risk
- Helps avoid escrow delays
- Allows you to shop with confidence
Helpful Educational Resources
Next Step
Once applicable documents are received, we typically complete an initial review within
1–2 business days and issue a pre-approval letter that can be updated as you write offers.
If you have questions about any item on this list, please reach out before uploading documents.
We are happy to walk through the process with you.