VA Loan Document Checklist: What to Prepare Before You Apply

This checklist helps you gather what a VA lender usually asks for before you apply. It is a preparation list, not a document upload. Items below are typical or conditional, not universally mandatory: the exact list depends on your lender and your file. Contact Carlos for the exact list for your file, and use the secure workflow after you talk for any documents. Never send sensitive documents by ordinary email.

To print: use your browser’s Print command (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) and check off items as you gather them.

Common foundation (every borrower)

• ☐ Photo ID, and your Social Security number ready for the application (do not email it)
• ☐ Certificate of Eligibility (COE), or your service details so it can be requested
• ☐ Last 2 months of bank statements, all pages, for every account used for the purchase
• ☐ Last 30 days of pay stubs, or equivalent proof of income
• ☐ Last 2 years of W-2s and federal tax returns, all pages and schedules
• ☐ Current mortgage statement and homeowner’s insurance information, if you own now
• ☐ Purchase contract, if you already have one
• ☐ Divorce decree, separation agreement, or child support order, if any apply
• ☐ Bankruptcy discharge papers and trustee paperwork, if any apply
• ☐ Gift letter and the donor’s bank statement, if anyone is gifting funds

W-2 or hourly income

• ☐ Year-to-date pay stub showing employer name and phone number
• ☐ 2-year employment history, with explanations for any gaps
• ☐ Overtime, bonus, or commission history, if that income is needed to qualify

Self-employed or commission income

• ☐ Last 2 years of personal and business federal tax returns, with all schedules
• ☐ Year-to-date profit and loss statement
• ☐ Business license, if applicable
• ☐ 1099s and commission statements for the last 2 years

VA disability or military income

• ☐ VA disability award letter and evidence the income continues
• ☐ Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) for active duty or Guard/Reserve service
• ☐ Documentation for any non-taxable income you want counted

Credit events: bankruptcy, foreclosure, short sale, collections

• ☐ Bankruptcy discharge or dismissal papers; trustee approval letter if you are mid-plan in Chapter 13
• ☐ Foreclosure or short-sale closing or settlement statements, with dates
• ☐ Payment arrangement letters for any collections being paid
• ☐ A short written explanation of the event and any beyond-control cause, with supporting documents

Property: condo, manufactured home, renovation

• ☐ Condo project name and HOA contact, for the VA approval check
• ☐ Manufactured home title, foundation certification, and move history, if applicable
• ☐ Contractor bid and scope of work, for a renovation loan

Related reading: VA Loan Help Center (choose your topic), manual underwriting guide, and what to do if your VA loan is denied.