01. Government-issued ID
Two pieces. Driver's licence + passport is the most common combo. Both need to be valid - expired ID will hold up the file.
Everything you need, in one place.
The fastest way to slow down a mortgage application is a missing document. Here's the complete checklist for salaried employees, self-employed, and everyone in between.
This covers the majority of applications. Self-employed, commissioned, and contract workers - see the additions below.
Two pieces. Driver's licence + passport is the most common combo. Both need to be valid - expired ID will hold up the file.
A letter from your employer confirming your position, start date, employment type, and salary. Dated within 30 days.
Current, showing year-to-date earnings.
Most lenders want the last two. If you've lost them, the CRA's My Account portal has downloadable copies.
Your NOA is the CRA's confirmation of what you filed and what you owe (or are owed).
The account your down payment is coming from. All pages, even blank ones.
Bank statements, sale agreement, signed gift letter, or RRSP HBP/FHSA withdrawal confirmation, depending on the source.
For setting up your mortgage payments. A PDF from your online banking works fine.
In addition to the standard package above.
Not just the NOA - the full filed return including all schedules.
Prepared by an accountant - income statement and balance sheet at minimum.
Proof your business is real and active.
Some lenders request these to verify your business is actively generating revenue.
These come after you've found a place. Send them to me immediately - conditions run on the calendar, not business days.
The signed agreement of purchase and sale. Send this to me as soon as you have it.
A copy of the current or recent MLS listing for the property.
Status certificate, condo corporation financials, reserve fund study, and meeting minutes.
“I send every client the same checklist upfront. The goal is one clean document package in - no back-and-forth chasing things at the worst possible time.”- Jeremy LaHaie
The mortgage process has a reputation for being slow and document-heavy. Most of that reputation comes from the back-and-forth. I try hard to eliminate that.
When we start, I send you this exact checklist, specific to your situation. You gather once, upload once, and I deal with the lender from there.
Your documents are handled through a secure portal - not email. Everything is encrypted in transit and at rest.
I also watch for documents that are about to expire - pay stubs, employment letters, and bank statements have a shelf life.
PDFs are fine and preferred. I use a secure file transfer system, not email.
Still doable in most cases - I'll need your signed offer letter, first pay stub, and a letter from your new employer.
Lenders will ask about it. A clear explanation is usually enough.
Most lenders accept gifted down payments from immediate family with a signed gift letter.
I'll send you a secure link to upload your documents - not email.
Log into your CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account to download them immediately.
Questions answered by Jeremy LaHaie, mortgage professional with INVIS Inc., serving Winnipeg, Ste Anne, Steinbach, and all of Southeast Manitoba. Call or text (204) 995-7336.