When applying for a mortgage, be prepared to provide a significant amount of documentation. It might feel like a paperwork scavenger hunt at first, but with a bit of preparation (and the right mindset), you’ll be ready to hand over what’s needed without any unnecessary stress.

Whether you’re meeting in person with a loan officer or completing everything online, you’ll be asked to fill out the same document: the Uniform Residential Loan Application—also known as the 1003 (Fannie Mae Form 1003 / Freddie Mac Form 65). This is the standard application for all residential mortgage loans—and it’s far more important than most people realize.