Why Paystubs Cause So Many Mortgage Delays (And How to Avoid It)

When people think about mortgage delays, they usually blame rates, appraisals, or underwriting. In reality, one of the most common causes is much simpler.

Paystubs.

They seem straightforward, but small issues with paystubs can slow a loan down quickly if they are not handled correctly.

Why Paystubs Matter So Much

Paystubs are how lenders verify that income is current, accurate, and consistent. They tie together employment, pay rate, and earnings, which makes them one of the most important documents in the file.

Because of that, underwriters look at them very closely.

The Most Common Paystub Issues

Expired paystubs are one of the biggest problems. Paystubs have a limited shelf life, and lenders often need the most recent one available. A paystub that was acceptable last week may no longer work today.

Incomplete paystubs also cause delays. Screenshots or cropped images often leave out important details like the employer name, pay period, or year-to-date income. Full PDFs are always preferred.

Missing year-to-date income makes it difficult to verify consistency. Underwriters use YTD figures to confirm that income lines up with pay frequency and history.

Pay mismatches can also raise questions. If the pay rate or earnings shown on the paystub do not match what is in the loan application or employment verification, the file may pause until it is clarified.

What Underwriters Are Really Checking

Underwriters are not looking for perfection. They are checking:

• That the income is current

• That the pay rate makes sense

• That earnings are consistent

• That income is likely to continue

When these boxes are checked, loans move smoothly.

How to Avoid Paystub-Related Delays

The best way to avoid issues is simple:

• Send your most recent paystub

• Make sure it includes year-to-date income

• Provide the full document, not a screenshot

• Flag any recent changes early

Clear documents lead to faster approvals.

The Bottom Line

Paystubs may seem like a small detail, but they play a big role in keeping a mortgage on track. When they are current, complete, and accurate, the process feels easier for everyone involved.

A few extra seconds spent sending the right paystub can save days of back-and-forth later on.

If you ever have a question about which document to send, it is always better to ask early.