Get your mortgage paperwork organised, one step at a time.
For a UK mortgage application, you should be ready to evidence your identity, address, income, deposit and financial commitments. The exact documents, dates and formats depend on the lender and your circumstances.
Use this guide to prepare for advice, then confirm the list for your application before ordering extra records.
View the document checklistDiscuss your mortgage plansMortgage application document checklist
This is a preparation list, not a promise that every item will be needed or accepted. Ask your adviser which documents apply to each applicant.
Identity
A passport or photocard driving licence may be requested. Confirm the accepted document types, validity requirements and whether an electronic identity check is part of the process.
If you do not have the usual photo ID, ask about acceptable alternatives before paying for a replacement.
Address and address history
A council tax bill, utility bill or bank statement may help evidence your address. Check which types and dates are accepted, and prepare your previous addresses for the period requested.
Explain a recent move or name change so different records can be reconciled.
Income
Prepare the evidence relevant to how you earn: payslips, accounts, tax records or other income documents. Include all income sources you intend to rely on.
See the income section below for the appropriate starting point.
Bank statements
Statements help show money received, spending and commitments. Confirm which accounts and consecutive periods are needed, with every page included.
A current balance screenshot may not show the account holder, transaction history or period required.
See how far back lenders check bank statements and what to prepare.
Deposit and source of funds
Be ready to explain where your deposit comes from and provide a record of its build-up or transfer. Savings, gifts and property sale proceeds need different evidence.
A balance alone may not explain the origin of the money.
Debts and regular commitments
Gather accurate balances and payments for loans, credit cards, car finance and other borrowing. Include relevant maintenance, childcare and regular household costs in the information provided.
Tell your adviser about commitments you expect to change, rather than leaving them out.
Which income documents apply to you?
Employed applicants
Recent payslips, a P60 and statements showing pay received may be relevant. A lender may also need an employment contract or confirmation from your employer, particularly after a job change.
Explain variable pay separately from basic salary. The evidence needed for commission, bonuses, overtime or an allowance may differ from the evidence for regular pay. Confirm the required period for your pay frequency.
Self-employed applicants and company directors
The evidence route may involve final accounts, tax calculations, matching tax year overviews and business or personal statements. Your business structure, ownership and income assessment affect the list; not everyone needs every document.
Use our self-employed income evidence checklist for detailed preparation. If you need help identifying a tax calculation, see the explained SA302 example.
Contractors, freelancers and mixed income
Describe how you are paid and through which arrangement: personally, through a limited company, an agency or an umbrella company. Contracts, payslips or business records may be relevant. Avoid assuming that the word “contractor” means one standard document list.
Pensions, benefits and other income
Tell your adviser about any pension, benefit, rental or maintenance income you wish to use. Award letters, statements or other records may be requested, but evidence of receipt does not mean a lender will accept all of that income for affordability.
Show where your deposit comes from
The lender and your conveyancer may have separate checks. Keep a clear trail and ask what each needs.
- Regular savings: statements showing the relevant accounts and how the funds accumulated.
- A gift: details of the donor, the amount and the true arrangement, plus the requested gift declaration and supporting records.
- Property sale proceeds: details of the sale and existing mortgage; completion or other sale evidence may become available later in the transaction.
- Investments, inheritance or another source: records explaining the source and any transfer into your deposit account.
If some money must be repaid, say so. Do not describe a loan as an unconditional gift. Confirm the arrangement can be considered before relying on it to fund a purchase.
Funds moved between your own accounts can require statements from both sides of the transfer. Retain the original records rather than trying to simplify the trail by leaving accounts out.
If family is helping, read our gifted deposit guide for the checks to discuss before transferring money.
Settled status, eVisas and immigration evidence
If immigration evidence is relevant to your application, ask your adviser what the proposed lender needs. Identify your current status accurately, including any change from pre-settled to settled status. Evidence of immigration permission is separate from evidence of income, address and deposit.
Use the official GOV.UK eVisa service to view your digital status and obtain a share code when requested. GOV.UK states that a share code lasts for 90 days and the person checking it also needs your date of birth. Confirm the appropriate check with your adviser; do not assume a code obtained for a different purpose will meet the lender’s request.
Check your details before sharing evidence. GOV.UK explains how to report an incorrect status or date of birth and obtain help if you cannot access your account. Never share your UKVI password or sign-in security code. Use the agreed secure route for a requested share code and date of birth.
For joint applications, ask what evidence is needed for each person. One applicant’s settled status does not establish the other person’s status or satisfy all mortgage checks. See our settled-status mortgage guide for wider eligibility considerations.
Status-evidence guidance checked on 7 September 2026 against GOV.UK. Confirm current lender requirements before submitting documents. Questions about your immigration rights need qualified immigration advice.
What changes at each stage?
Initial conversation
Start with your plans, broad income circumstances, deposit position and timescale. You can ask what records to prepare before sending sensitive documents.
Agreement in principle
The information and checks depend on the lender. Ask whether a credit search will be carried out and what type. An agreement in principle is not a final mortgage offer. Read our agreement in principle guide to understand this stage.
Full mortgage application
Expect the lender to verify the relevant details and assess the property. Provide the property address, purchase price or estimated value, and professional contact details when requested.
Before completion
Further or updated evidence may be needed. Tell your adviser about changes in employment, income, borrowing or deposit arrangements while the application is progressing.
First-time buyers and joint applicants
Being a first-time buyer does not remove identity, income or deposit checks. If applying jointly, organise records for each person and identify shared accounts. For wider support, see our first-time buyer mortgage service.
Home movers and remortgages
Have your current mortgage details available, including the balance, deal end date and any early repayment charge. A home mover may need sale details as well as purchase information.
Moving to another lender normally involves a fresh assessment. A product transfer with your current lender can follow a different process, especially where no extra borrowing or other changes are requested. Check the proposed transaction rather than assuming previous documents will be enough.
Additional circumstances
A lender may request relevant evidence of residency status, a name change, maintenance arrangements or a recent employment change. For interest-only borrowing, evidence of the proposed repayment strategy may also be required. Supply what is relevant to the application, using the method agreed with your adviser.
Prepare complete, readable records
- Confirm the list: document type, applicant, period, acceptable age and file format.
- Gather full copies: include all requested pages and avoid cropped images or missing transaction periods.
- Check consistency: explain differences in names, addresses, income figures or dates instead of altering records.
- Identify gaps early: ask which alternatives may be accepted before obtaining paid certificates or reports.
- Agree secure delivery: check the recipient and upload method before sending identification or financial records.
A broker may ask for a credit report to understand your credit history. A report provides more context than a score alone, and does not replace the lender’s own checks. If you spot an error, raise it with the relevant provider; do not conceal borrowing or missed payments.
For independent background, read MoneyHelper’s guide to applying for a mortgage. Your adviser should confirm the current requirements for the lender being considered.
Need help knowing what to prepare?
Tell Count Ready whether you are buying, moving home or remortgaging, and how you earn your income. We can discuss your circumstances and the next steps towards an application.
Request a mortgage advice callOr call 01245 934515. Keep tax references, bank details and document copies out of the initial enquiry message.
The initial consultation is free. Further fees vary by case and are agreed before chargeable work begins. A processing fee may apply separately from an offer fee and is not charged in every case. Read our Terms of Business and Privacy Policy. Providing a complete document pack does not guarantee mortgage acceptance.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
General information for UK residential mortgage applicants. Requirements vary and can change; this guide is not a personal mortgage recommendation.
Mortgage document questions
How many payslips do I need for a mortgage?
The number depends on the lender and how you are paid. Ask for the required period, especially if your earnings include overtime, bonuses or commission, or you have recently changed jobs. Do not assume a standard monthly list applies to weekly or four-weekly pay.
Can I apply without a P60?
Tell your adviser why it is unavailable and which payslips, contracts or employer records you have. The lender may accept another evidence route, but a replacement document must meet its requirements. A missing P60 does not remove income checks.
How recent must my bank statements be?
Check both the number of consecutive statements required and how recent the latest one must be. Requirements can vary by lender, account and application stage. Further statements may be requested if the application takes time or your circumstances change.
Are online statements and scanned documents acceptable?
They may be, depending on the lender and document type. Download complete statements where possible and confirm accepted formats. Screenshots, cropped images or partial transaction lists may omit information the lender needs. Check before paying for certified copies.
Do both people need documents for a joint mortgage?
Each applicant should be ready to provide their own identity, address and relevant income evidence. Explain shared accounts and commitments clearly. One person’s payslips do not replace evidence for the other applicant’s income.
Does a gifted deposit letter prove the source of my deposit?
It explains the gift arrangement, but further checks may be needed on the donor’s identity, where the money came from and its transfer to you. Use the form and supporting evidence requested by the lender and conveyancer, and disclose any repayment agreement.
Should I send all my documents with my first enquiry?
Start with your contact details and a brief description of your plans. Ask for the document list and secure submission method before sharing identity or financial records. Do not include bank details, tax references or document copies in a general enquiry message.
Does a share code replace my other mortgage documents?
No. A share code helps the recipient check your immigration status; it does not replace the income, address, deposit or other evidence requested for your application. Confirm the required check and secure submission method with your adviser.