The law gives you the right to request mortgage origination documentation from your lender. Whatever the situation -- whether you need the documents to analyze fees or to submit a complaint about the lender -- contact the mortgage company with your request. With a letter that spells out your request in detail, consumer protections in force require the lender to furnish the documents in a timely fashion.
Step 1
Contact your lender by telephone to inquire about the process of requesting mortgage origination documents. Most lenders require requests in writing. Some lenders may charge a small fee that you must remit with the request.
Step 2
Place your account number at the top of the letter. Place all names associated with the mortgage immediately beneath the account number. Add the complete property address on the next line.
Step 3
Identify your letter as a “qualified written request” if you are requesting the mortgage origination documents due to an issue or problem associated with the lender. If the letter is not a qualified written request, simply begin the letter by stating that you are requesting mortgage origination documentation.
Step 4
Provide details about any problem you have with the lender if you are writing a qualified written request. Describe verbal exchanges you’ve had with representatives and steps taken to solve the problem.
Step 5
List the documents you want the lender to provide. The mortgage origination documentation probably includes the original loan application, disclosures, addenda, income, asset, employment and credit verification papers, and a release to allow the lender to pull a credit report. To ensure that you receive all pertinent paperwork, you may request copies of all the documents in your mortgage file.
Step 6
Sign the letter. Add your contact information -- telephone number and email address -- beneath your signature. Enclose a fee, if applicable.
Step 7
Send the letter by certified mail to the customer service department of your mortgage lender. Request the documents sent to you by certified mail.
References
- Iron Mountain: Increasing The Efficiency of Your Mortgage Document Management
- The Truth About Mortgage: Loan Origination
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Sample Written Complaint to Lender
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission: Equal Credit Opportunity: Understanding Your Rights Under the Law
- Sovereign Bank: How Do I Get a Copy of My Original Mortgage Settlement Documents?
Tips
- Many lenders are moving to a paperless environment with electronic formats of mortgage documents instead of hard paper copies. If your lender keeps electronic formats of documents instead of paper documents, you will still want hard copies of the paperwork -- not electronic copies sent via email. Because the documents will contain sensitive personal information about you, email delivery is not a safe option.
- If your mortgage lender is local, you could also arrange to pick the documents up in person after sending the letter.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires lenders to acknowledge a qualified written request within 20 business days and attempt to resolve a problem within 60 business days.
Warnings
- Do not include the request for mortgage origination documents with your regular mortgage payment. The request may not reach the appropriate personnel.
Writer Bio
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.