This applies to you if you:
- Are starting the mortgage pre-approval process in Calgary
- Want to know exactly what documents to prepare
- Are salaried, self-employed, or have non-traditional income
- Want to avoid delays in the pre-approval process
- Are buying in Calgary or Alberta
Documents Every Applicant Needs
- Government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's licence)
- Social Insurance Number (for credit check authorization)
- 3 months bank statements showing down payment funds
- Down payment source documentation (gift letter if applicable)
- Property tax notice if currently a homeowner
Documents by Employment Type
1Salaried / T4 EmployeesSimplest documentation
- Last 2 years T4 slips
- 3 most recent pay stubs
- Employment letter (on company letterhead — position, start date, salary, full-time status)
- For bonus income: 2 years T4s showing consistent bonus
2Self-Employed / Sole ProprietorMore documents — plan ahead
- Last 2 years T1 general (full tax returns)
- Last 2 years Notices of Assessment (CRA My Account → Tax Returns → NOA)
- Business registration or master business licence
- 6 months business bank statements
- GST/HST return (most recent — confirms revenue)
- Accountant letter if income is complex
3Incorporated Business OwnersMost complex documentation
- Last 2 years T1 personal returns + 2 years T2 corporate returns
- Last 2 years NOAs
- Articles of incorporation
- Corporate financial statements (if drawing dividends or retained earnings)
- Shareholder agreement if applicable
4Commission IncomeSame as self-employed plus...
- Last 2 years T4 (box 42 commission income)
- Employment letter confirming commission structure
- 3 months commission statements showing current earnings
Down Payment Documentation
Lenders require 90-day history of down payment funds — meaning they need to see the money has been in your account for at least 90 days, or have a clear explanation of where it came from.
| Source | Documentation Required |
|---|---|
| Personal savings | 3 months bank statements |
| RRSP/FHSA withdrawal | Most recent statement + withdrawal confirmation |
| Gift from family | Gift letter + donor's 3-month bank statements |
| Sale of property | Sale agreement + closing statement |
| Employer bonus | Employer letter + bank statement showing deposit |
How to Get Your NOA from CRA
Many borrowers don't have their Notices of Assessment on hand. Here's how to get them quickly:
- Log into CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account
- Navigate to Tax Returns → Return and assessment detail
- Download the NOA PDF for each year needed (typically 2 years)
- If you don't have a CRA account, register online — takes 5–10 minutes
What Happens If You're Missing Documents
A broker can often proceed with what you have — issuing a conditional pre-approval while you gather the remaining items. The rate hold starts when you're conditionally approved, protecting you even before the file is complete.
For the complete pre-approval process — how long it takes, what a rate hold means, and what to expect at every stage — see the main mortgage pre-approval Calgary guide.