Preparation Guide
Mortgage Document Guide
A complete list of every document you may need for your mortgage application — and exactly how to get each one.
Quick Checklist
Employment Letter (Job Letter)
Your employment letter must be recent (less than 30 days old) and confirms that you are currently employed at the company you claim to work for.
- Make sure the letter is on official company letterhead and includes:
- 1. Your start date with the company
- 2. Your job title / position
- 3. How you are paid (salary, hourly, commission)
- 4. Your compensation amount (annual salary or hourly rate + hours)
- 5. Employer contact information (name, phone, email)
- 6. Whether you are full-time permanent, part-time, or contract
- 7. Note if you are on probation, maternity/paternity leave, disability, or workers' compensation
How to Get This
Request this from your direct supervisor or Human Resources (HR) department. Ask them to print it on company letterhead and include all items listed above.
Pay Stubs
We typically need your most recent 2-3 pay stubs. Make sure each pay stub clearly shows:
- 1. Year-to-Date (YTD) gross earnings
- 2. Current period deductions (CPP, EI, income tax, etc.)
- 3. Year-to-Date deductions
How to Get This
Check if your employer has an online payroll portal (like ADP, Ceridian, or Payworks) where you can download PDF copies. Otherwise, ask your supervisor or HR department.
Tax Documents: T4, T4A, NOA, SOA, T1, T2
Your tax documents are issued annually by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after you file your tax return. We typically need the most recent 2 years. Here is how to get them:
- 1. Log in to your CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account
- 2. Contact your accountant if they have copies on file
- 3. Call CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 to request copies by mail
How to Get This
The fastest method is logging into your CRA My Account online. Navigate to "Tax Returns" to find your Notice of Assessment (NOA) and T1 General. For T4 slips, check the "Tax Information Slips" section.
Bank Statements
Bank statements may be required for several reasons during your mortgage application:
- To verify your income by showing regular payroll deposits into your account
- To show CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and OAS (Old Age Security) deposits
- To confirm the source of your down payment funds
- To verify savings and investment account balances
- To show 90-day transaction history (for down payment anti-money-laundering requirements)
How to Get This
Log into your online banking portal and download PDF statements for the required time period (usually 90 days). Make sure the statements show your full name, account number, and institution name.
Property Tax Notice
If you currently own property, your property tax notice shows the assessed value and the annual property tax amount. This is needed when refinancing or renewing.
- The notice will include your property assessment details, the annual tax amount, and any outstanding balances.
How to Get This
This is mailed annually by your municipal government. If you have lost it, log into your city's property tax portal online, or call your city hall to request a copy. For Richmond BC: richmond.ca, for Vancouver: vancouver.ca/home-property-development.
Void Cheque / Pre-Authorized Debit Form
A void cheque is a cheque marked "VOID" from the bank account you want your mortgage payments withdrawn from. Alternatively, you can provide a Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) form.
- Important: The void cheque must be from the account you want to use for mortgage payments. It confirms your transit number, institution number, and account number.
How to Get This
Log into your online banking and look for "Direct Deposit" or "Void Cheque" in your account settings. Most banks let you download a digital void cheque as a PDF.
Articles of Incorporation (Self-Employed)
If you are self-employed and incorporated, lenders need proof that your business is legitimate and active. Here is how to get your Articles of Incorporation through CRA:
- Step 1: Log into your CRA My Business Account
- Step 2: Navigate to the "Business Number (BN)" services section
- Step 3: Filter by the relevant date/month
- Step 4: Download the statement as a PDF
How to Get This
If you cannot find it on CRA, check with your accountant or lawyer who originally incorporated your business. They will have the original documents on file. You can also request copies from BC Registry Services.
Pro Tips to Speed Up Your Application
- Download everything as PDF files — photos of documents are often rejected by lenders.
- Name your files clearly (e.g., "JamesLi_T4_2025.pdf") so we can process them faster.
- If a document is more than 1 page, make sure all pages are included in the same PDF.
- Bank statements must show your full legal name and the bank's name/logo.
- Start gathering documents early — some items (like employment letters) take a few days to get.
- Send us everything digitally via email or WhatsApp. We accept PDF, JPG, and PNG formats.
Need help gathering your documents?
Our team will walk you through exactly what you need. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing.