Military Mortgage — Military Serving Military

Document Checklist

Know Exactly WhatTo Gather.

Most of the stress in a mortgage comes from paperwork surprises. This is the list a VA loan file typically needs, organized by category — download it, print it, and check things off as you go.

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Free, no email required. Not every item applies to every borrower.

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The Checklist

Eight Categories.One Clear List.

Work through whichever sections apply to your situation. Your loan officer may request additional items based on your file.

1

Military & VA Eligibility

This is what establishes the VA benefit. We can often pull your COE for you.

  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — we can often obtain this for you
  • DD-214 (Member 4 copy) if separated or retired
  • Statement of Service signed by your command if active duty
  • NGB-22 or points statements for National Guard and Reserve
  • VA disability award letter, if you receive compensation
  • Surviving spouse documentation, if applicable
2

Identity

Standard verification for every borrower on the loan.

  • Government-issued photo ID for each borrower
  • Social Security number for each borrower
  • Two-year address history
3

Income

Bring what applies to you. Military allowances and self-employment each have their own paperwork.

  • Most recent 30 days of pay stubs or LES
  • W-2s for the past two years
  • Federal tax returns for the past two years, all pages and schedules
  • BAH, BAS, and special-pay documentation
  • Award letters for retirement, pension, VA, or Social Security income
  • Self-employed: two years of business returns, YTD P&L, balance sheet
  • Lease agreements and Schedule E for rental income
  • Child support or alimony documentation, if you want it counted
4

Assets & Funds

Large deposits usually need a paper trail showing where the money came from.

  • Two most recent statements for each checking and savings account
  • Two most recent statements for retirement or investment accounts
  • Documentation for any large or non-payroll deposits
  • Gift letter and donor documentation, if using gift funds
  • Earnest money check copy and proof it cleared
5

Credit & Obligations

Only requested when something in the file needs context.

  • Explanation letters for credit events, if requested
  • Bankruptcy discharge papers, if applicable
  • Divorce decree or separation agreement, if applicable
  • Student loan statements showing balance and payment
  • Mortgage statements on any property you currently own
  • Homeowners insurance and property tax information on property you own
6

Property — Purchase

These come together once you're under contract.

  • Fully executed purchase contract with all addenda
  • Real estate agent and closing attorney or title company contacts
  • Homeowners insurance quote or binder
  • HOA information and dues, if applicable
  • Well, septic, or termite documentation if required in your area
7

Refinance — IRRRL or Cash-Out

A VA IRRRL generally needs less documentation than a cash-out refinance.

  • Current mortgage statement
  • Current homeowners insurance declarations page
  • Most recent property tax bill
  • Existing VA loan number, if known
  • Payoff statements for any debts you plan to consolidate
8

PCS or Relocation

Orders and occupancy plans matter to the timeline and the file.

  • Copy of PCS orders
  • Report-no-later-than date
  • Current and destination duty station details
  • Occupancy plan for the property
Download the Checklist Open a Printable Version

Make It Easy

Four Habits ThatSpeed Things Up.

  • Send complete documents — all pages, even blank ones on statements.
  • Clear phone photos are fine, as long as the full page is readable.
  • Gather the last two years first; that covers most of the file.
  • If you don't have something, say so. We'll tell you whether it's needed.

This checklist is educational only. It is not a loan approval, a commitment to lend, or a rate quote, and document requirements vary by borrower, program, and property.

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Next Step

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