Buying a Home
What You'll Need for Your Mortgage Application
The documents most lenders ask for, organized by what they're proving.
Updated for 2026
Every lender asks for slightly different documentation, but most requests fall into a few categories. Here's what to have ready.
Proof of income
- Salaried: a recent pay stub (within 30 days) and a letter from your employer confirming full-time, permanent status and salary
- Commission, part-time, or self-employed: your last two years' Notices of Assessment and T1 General tax returns, plus proof of business existence if self-employed
Proof of down payment
- Your own savings: three months of history on the account(s) holding the funds
- A gift: a signed gift letter confirming the funds don't need to be repaid
- Sale of an existing property: the firm purchase and sale agreement, plus a current mortgage statement
If you own rental property
- A current mortgage statement for each rental
- A current lease for each rental
Other items to have ready
- A void cheque for the account your payments will come from
- Government-issued photo ID
- A current statement for any existing mortgage on another property
- The name of the lawyer handling your purchase