Every document you need to gather — organized into 5 categories, with a note on exactly where to find each one. Print this page and bring it to your first HUD counselor appointment.
Sources: CFPB Regulation X · HUD · IRS · Updated May 2026
Who this checklist is for
This checklist is built for three situations: an adult child helping a parent gather records under a short timeline, a homeowner preparing their own loss mitigation application, and a HUD housing counselor doing intake on the first appointment. Every item here is routinely requested by mortgage servicers during the foreclosure review process. Nothing on this list is optional — missing a single category can stall or sink a modification request.
Print tip:
This page is print-optimized. Use your browser's Print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) to get a clean checklist — navigation and footer are hidden automatically. Bring the printed copy to your HUD counselor appointment.
Category 1 of 5 — Mortgage & Loan Documents
Mortgage & Loan Documents
Most recent mortgage statement — servicer name, loan number, total amount owed, and next payment due date.
Where to find: servicer's online portal or call the number on any previous statement.
Original loan documents / promissory note — if available; not required to apply, but useful if disputing loan terms.
Where to find: original closing folder, filing cabinet, or safe deposit box.
All foreclosure notices received — Notice of Default, Lis Pendens, or Notice of Trustee Sale. Include the exact date on each notice.
Where to find: already received by mail; also on file at county recorder (publicly searchable by address or owner name).
Any previous loan modification agreements — if the loan was modified before, the servicer needs the existing agreement on file.
Where to find: prior closing folder, servicer portal documents section, or request from servicer directly.
Any forbearance agreement documents — if payments were paused during a COVID or other hardship forbearance period.
Where to find: emails or letters from servicer; request a copy if lost.
All servicer correspondence from the past 12 months — every letter, notice, or statement the servicer has sent.
Where to find: mail, inbox (if signed up for e-statements), servicer portal message center.
Category 2 of 5 — Financial & Income Documents
Financial & Income Documents
Last 2 years of federal tax returns — all pages, all schedules. Do not submit just page 1.
Where to find: IRS Get Transcript at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — free, instant online download.
Last 2 months of bank statements — all accounts (checking, savings, money market), all pages. Even pages that look blank.
Where to find: bank's online portal or mobile app; export as PDF.
Last 2 most recent pay stubs — for W-2 employees. Include both borrowers on the loan.
Where to find: employer pay portal (ADP, Workday, Paychex), or request from HR department.
Profit & loss statement or Schedule C — required instead of pay stubs if self-employed or a sole proprietor.
Where to find: your bookkeeper, QuickBooks/Wave export, or Schedule C from most recent tax return.
Social Security award letter — if Social Security income is received. Must show current monthly benefit amount.
Where to find: SSA.gov (sign in to my Social Security) or call 1-800-772-1213 to request a benefit verification letter.
Pension or retirement income statement — most recent statement showing monthly distribution amount.
Where to find: pension administrator, 401(k)/IRA custodian portal, or benefit letter.
Rental income documentation — lease agreement(s) plus two months of rent receipts or bank deposits showing rent received.
Where to find: your lease files; deposit records in bank statement (servicer will cross-reference these).
Unemployment or disability income documentation — award letter or benefit statement showing current monthly amount.
Where to find: state unemployment portal, Social Security Disability determination letter, or state disability insurer.
Category 3 of 5 — Property Documents
Property Documents
Property deed — warranty deed, grant deed, or trust deed showing who holds title to the property.
Where to find: county recorder or clerk's office online portal — search by owner name or property address. Usually free to search, small fee to download a certified copy.
Most recent property tax statement — showing current assessed value and any past-due taxes.
Where to find: county tax assessor's website (search by address), or in the mail each year from the county.
Homeowner's insurance declaration page — showing the policy number, coverage amounts, and insured property address.
Where to find: insurer's online portal or mobile app; call your insurance agent.
HOA statement — if the property is in a homeowners association; include any past-due balance.
Where to find: HOA management company website, or call the HOA office directly. Past-due balance must be current as of application date.
Any second mortgage or HELOC statements — all liens on the property must be disclosed in the application.
Where to find: servicer for the second loan, or pull your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com to identify all open liens.
Property appraisal — not required, but useful if the loan is underwater or you are requesting a principal reduction.
Where to find: original closing folder; if not available, the servicer may order a new one as part of the review.
Category 4 of 5 — Hardship Documentation
Hardship Documentation
Important:
The hardship letter is one of the most consequential documents in your package. It should explain: what happened, when it happened, and what your situation looks like today. Two to three paragraphs. Be specific — avoid vague language like "financial difficulties." Pair it with documentation.
Written hardship letter — signed by all borrowers on the loan. 2–3 paragraphs: what happened, when, and current status.
Where to find: you write this. Your HUD counselor can review it before submission. Do not copy a template without personalizing every detail.
Medical bills or hospital records — if the hardship was caused by illness, injury, or a medical event.
Where to find: hospital billing department, patient portal (MyChart, etc.), or insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
Termination letter or layoff notice — if the hardship was caused by job loss or reduction in hours.
Where to find: from employer HR department. If unavailable, a letter from the employer on company letterhead is acceptable.
Divorce decree — if the hardship was caused by divorce or separation affecting household income.
Where to find: county family court clerk. If the decree is sealed or unavailable, your family law attorney can provide a certified copy.
Death certificate — if the hardship involved the death of a co-borrower or primary income earner.
Where to find: county vital records office. Order a certified copy — a photocopy is often not accepted by servicers.
Disability determination letter — if disability is the cause of income loss.
Where to find: Social Security Administration award letter or state disability agency determination.
Proof of changed financial situation — new job offer letter, income reduction letter from employer, or other documentation showing your current status.
Where to find: employer HR, offer letter from new job, pay stubs showing reduced pay rate.
Category 5 of 5 — Legal & Identity
Legal & Identity
Government-issued photo ID — for every borrower listed on the loan (driver's license, passport, or state ID).
Where to find: wallet. If expired, contact your state DMV to renew. A passport can be used if the license is unavailable.
Social Security numbers — for all borrowers on the loan. These are required for servicer identity verification.
Where to find: Social Security card (do not submit the card itself — write the number on the application form only).
Divorce decree showing property division — if the divorce happened after the loan was originated and affected property ownership.
Where to find: county family court clerk. Required if a co-borrower was removed from title but not from the loan.
Death certificate + probate documents — if a borrower on the loan has died and the estate is involved in the property.
Where to find: vital records office (death certificate) and probate court (letters testamentary or letters of administration).
Trust documents — if the property is held in a trust; shows who has legal authority to make decisions about the property.
Where to find: estate attorney who set up the trust, or the trust file. The servicer will need a copy of the trust agreement and certification of trustee.
Attorney authorization form — if you are working with a foreclosure defense attorney, this authorizes them to communicate with the servicer on your behalf.
Where to find: your attorney will provide this form. It must be signed by the borrower and submitted to the servicer before any discussions begin.
HUD counselor authorization form (Third-Party Authorization) — required by servicers before they will discuss any loan details with a family member, counselor, or advocate. Federal law (Regulation X) mandates this.
Where to find: your HUD-approved housing counselor will provide this form at your first appointment. Sign it immediately so the counselor can begin communicating with the servicer.
Emergency Priority
If You Only Have 24 Hours
A Notice of Trustee Sale has been issued. The auction date may be weeks away. You cannot gather everything — get these five items first and go directly to a HUD counselor or foreclosure attorney.
Most recent mortgage statement — loan number, servicer name and phone number, total amount owed.
Call the servicer directly if you cannot find the statement — they must provide it.
All foreclosure notices with dates — the exact notice type and the dates on each document determine your remaining timeline.
Already received. Also searchable at your county recorder online.
Government-issued photo ID — for all borrowers on the loan.
Driver's license, passport, or state ID.
Last 2 months of bank statements — download PDFs from your bank's portal immediately.
All accounts, all pages — even blank pages at the end.
Income proof — the two most recent pay stubs, most recent Social Security award letter, or a profit/loss statement if self-employed.
Download from your pay portal or SSA.gov right now.
Where to Find Documents You Can't Locate
Mortgage statement: Call the servicer directly — the phone number is on any previous statement or the foreclosure notice. They are required to provide one.
Old tax returns: IRS Get Transcript at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — free, instant online delivery for the past 10 years. No waiting.
Property deed: County clerk or recorder's online portal — search by owner name or property address. Usually free to search; a small fee (typically $1–$3/page) to download a certified copy.
HOA past-due balance: Call the HOA management company directly. If you do not know the management company, search the HOA name at your county's business registry.
Second mortgage or HELOC: Pull your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com — all open liens and accounts will appear. Do this once; avoid services that charge a subscription.
Foreclosure notices (if misplaced): All notices recorded in a judicial foreclosure are public filings. Search your county recorder or clerk's online portal by address or owner name at no cost.
Social Security award letter: Sign into my Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount and download a benefit verification letter instantly. Or call 1-800-772-1213.
Need help putting this package together?
HomeLeafs connects families with HUD-approved housing counselors who can review your documents, communicate with your servicer, and identify every available option — at no cost to you.
What documents do I need for a loan modification application?
A complete loan modification package typically requires recent federal tax returns,
recent bank statements, recent pay stubs or self-employment income records, a written
hardship letter, government-issued photo ID for every borrower, and the most recent
mortgage statement. Some servicers also require a property tax statement and homeowner's
insurance declaration page. Your HUD-approved housing counselor or servicer can confirm
the exact list for your loan type.
I can't find my original mortgage documents. What do I do?
You usually do not need the original promissory note to apply for loss mitigation.
Start with your current mortgage statement. Your deed of trust or mortgage is usually
recorded with your county recorder or clerk. Tax transcripts can be requested from the
IRS, and open second mortgages or HELOCs should appear on your credit report.
My parent is the homeowner but I need to help. Which documents require their signature?
Your parent usually must sign the third-party authorization form, hardship letter,
loan modification application, and any HUD counselor authorization form. Public records
can often be gathered without a signature, but the servicer generally will not discuss
the loan with you until the authorization is signed.
How long does it take to gather all these documents?
Many families can gather the core documents in 24 to 48 hours if they focus first on
the mortgage statement, bank statements, pay stubs, foreclosure notices, photo ID, and
hardship letter. Older tax records, deeds, medical documentation, and legal records can
take longer, so start with the priority list and fill gaps as quickly as possible.