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Documents you need to buy a home

What a home buyer usually gathers before making an offer and before closing: ID, income and bank records, proof of funds, pre-approval and your lawyer’s details.

Free · no account needed · Updated October 24, 2026

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Home buyer document checklist

Your name

Before you make an offer

Photo ID for every buyerPassport, national ID card or driver’s license. Lawyers and lenders check ID before they act for you.
Mortgage pre-approval letterIf you’re borrowing. Note its expiry date; you can show a seller a lower amount than your full approval.
Proof of funds for the deposit and costsA recent bank statement or a letter from your bank. Cover account numbers you don’t need to share.
A budget for closing costs and taxesTransfer taxes, legal fees, registration and moving costs on top of the price.

For your lender (if you borrow)

Recent pay slipsOr an employment letter.
Tax returns or annual income statementsUsually the last one or two years; more if you’re self-employed.
Bank statementsOften the last two months, every page, for each account you’ll use.
Gift letter, if family is helpingWho is giving, how much, and that it doesn’t have to be repaid.
Details of other loans and credit cards

For the contract and closing

Your lawyer, conveyancer or notary’s details
Deposit ready to transferConfirm the bank details by phone with a number you found yourself before sending anything.
Home insurance quote or policyLenders usually require it from the day you own the home.
Title or ownership search resultsYour lawyer orders them; ask to see what they found.
Final funds and closing statement checkedCompare the final figures with your estimate before closing day.

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Get your paperwork ready early

Sellers take offers more seriously when the buyer can show they can pay, and lenders move faster when every document arrives the first time. Gather what's on this list before you start making offers, and keep it in one folder you can share securely.

The details vary by country and lender. A cash buyer in Accra needs proof of funds and a good lawyer far more than pay slips; a mortgage borrower in the US or England will be asked for income records, bank statements and ID. Follow what your lender and lawyer ask for.

Ready to bid? Use the offer letter. Getting help from family? Read about gift funds for a down payment, and check what you can afford with the home affordability calculator.

Local rules we checked

Rules change and local laws can add more. Follow the source link before you rely on one.

United States: mortgages
Your lender must send a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application, and you must receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing.
Source
United States: homes built before 1978
Sellers must give you the EPA lead pamphlet, disclose known lead-based paint and hazards, and give you a 10-day period to have the home inspected or assessed for lead before you’re bound.
Source

Fact-checked October 24, 2026

The document list is common practice for buyers and lenders, not a legal list; lenders and countries differ. US mortgage timing from Roofy’s fact-checked Loan Estimate guide (Reg Z); lead rule re-checked on the EPA page today.

Sources

12 CFR 1026.19: Certain mortgage and variable-rate transactions (Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure timing) · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (accessed October 12, 2026)
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule (Section 1018 of Title X) · US EPA (accessed October 24, 2026)
What’s the difference between a prequalification letter and a preapproval letter? · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (accessed October 12, 2026)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency or a professional before you act.