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Proof of Identity
✅ What It Means When Lenders Ask for “Proof of Identity & Residency”
When a lender asks you for Proof of Identity & Residency, they are simply verifying two things:
1️⃣ Proof of Identity — Who you are
They need to confirm your legal identity before they can review your finances or pull your credit report.
Common accepted documents:
Passport
Driver’s license
National ID card
Government-issued photo ID
2️⃣ Proof of Residency — Where you currently live
Even if your ID has an address, lenders often need separate documents showing your current residence.
Common accepted documents:
Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, internet)
Bank statement with your address
Rental/lease agreement
Government correspondence
Credit card statement
These must have your name + current address + recent date (usually within 60–90 days).
⭐ Why They Ask for This
Mortgage lenders must verify your identity and residence for:
Fraud prevention
Anti–money laundering compliance
Credit report matching
Ensuring all your documents link to the same person
💡 What You Should Submit (Best Practice)
Send clean, clear PDFs of:
One identity document
One residency document
Do not send screenshots or blurry images.
📄 Example of What a Lender Might Say:
“Please provide proof of your identity and current residential address for mortgage verification.
Acceptable ID: passport, driver’s license, or government ID.
Acceptable residency documents: utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days.”