Documents Needed for a Mortgage Loan Approval in Kentucky

Having the right paperwork ready upfront reduces underwriting conditions, prevents last-minute surprises, and keeps your closing on schedule. Not every borrower needs every item below, but this is the standard Kentucky mortgage document checklist most lenders use.

Income documents

• W-2s for the most recent 2 years
• Most recent pay stubs covering a 30-day period
• Federal tax returns (1040s) for the most recent 2 years if you are:
  • self-employed
  • earning regular capital gains income
  • earning sizable interest or dividend income
  • earning more than 25% of your income from commissions or bonuses
  • owning rental property
  • in a career where you are likely to have unreimbursed business expenses
• Year-to-date Profit and Loss statement (self-employed)
• Business tax returns (corporate or partnership) if you own more than 25% of the business
• Social Security award letter (if applicable)
• Pension/retirement award letter (if applicable)

Asset documents

• Bank statements for the most recent 2 months (sometimes 3) on all accounts, including all pages
• Statements for the most recent 2 months on stocks, mutual funds, bonds, or other investments
• Most recent 401(k) or retirement statement (may count as reserves)
• Written explanation and documentation for any large or unusual deposits
• Closing disclosure/HUD-1 from a recent home sale (if applicable)
• Estimated settlement statement if a home is for sale but not yet closed (if applicable)
• Gift letter (if funds are a gift; lender provides form)
• If using gift funds, you may also need:
  • donor bank statement showing ability to give
  • copy of the gift check or wire confirmation
  • proof the funds were deposited into your account or sent to escrow

Important: online statements must show your name, the institution name, and the account number. Screenshots or “partial” printouts often get rejected by underwriting.

Credit documents

• Landlord name, address, and phone number (if renting) for rent verification
• Written explanations for items that may appear on your credit report, such as:
  • late payments
  • credit inquiries in the last 90 days
  • charge-offs
  • collections
  • judgments
  • liens
• Bankruptcy papers and discharge documentation if filed within the last 7 years

Other documents (as applicable)

• Copy of the purchase agreement (if you are under contract)
• If using child support as qualifying income:
  • divorce decree/settlement showing the amount
  • proof of receipt (often 12 months payment history, canceled checks, or official records)

Program-specific items

FHA loans

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license)
• Social Security card or acceptable SSN documentation

VA loans (Kentucky VA mortgage checklist)

• One full month of pay stubs
• Last 2 years W-2s
• Last 2 years tax returns (if self-employed or if using commission, dividend, or rental income)
• Address and phone number of employers for the last 2 years
• Address and phone number for landlords for the last 2 years (if renting)
• Copy of DD-214
• VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (we can help obtain this)
• Award letters for Social Security, pension, and/or retirement (if applicable)
• Last 2 months bank statements for all accounts
• Documentation supporting funds to close
• Written explanation for any derogatory credit (if applicable)
• Bankruptcy discharge paperwork (if applicable)
• Divorce decree/settlement paperwork (if applicable)

Refinance documents

• Most recent monthly mortgage statement
• Optional (helpful but not always required): copy of the original Note and prior Closing Disclosure/HUD-1