# Verification of employment form: Form 1005 field by field

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By [Arthur Teboul](/authors/arthur-teboul), Founder, DokuTrak. Published 2026-10-28, updated 2026-10-28.

> **In brief:** A verification of employment form is a standard request a lender sends to your employer to confirm your job and earnings in writing. For mortgages it is usually Fannie Mae Form 1005: you sign to authorize it, and the employer returns it straight to the lender ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

## What is a verification of employment form?

**Form 1005** is Fannie Mae’s Request for Verification of Employment, a one-page form in four parts. Part I is the request and the borrower’s authorization. Part II covers present employment and pay, Part III covers a previous job, and Part IV is the employer’s signature ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

Lenders call the completed form a **written VOE**. It shows the hire date, position, base pay, and gross earnings broken into base, overtime, commissions and bonus for the current year and the past two years ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

Other programs use their own forms with the same idea. Food assistance and housing agencies often publish an employment verification form of their own; when an agency sends one, use it rather than Form 1005.

## Who sends it, and when

Three people touch the form. The lender fills in Part I and sends it, the borrower signs the authorization, and the employer’s HR or payroll completes Part II or III and signs Part IV ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)). The borrower never carries the completed form back to the lender.

## Where to get a verification of employment form

1. Ask your loan officer whether they will send Form 1005 or use a verification vendor.
2. Sign Part I, or the lender’s blanket authorization form, when the lender sends it to you.
3. Give the lender the payroll or HR address where the form should go.
4. Tell HR to expect it and to return it directly to the lender named in Part I.
5. Send your latest pay stub and W-2 form anyway, in case the employer is slow to answer.

## Wrong files people send instead

- A completed form handed to the lender by the borrower, which breaks the direct-return rule.
- Part I signed by the lender but not by the applicant, so the employer has no authorization.
- Earnings given as one total, without the split into base pay, overtime, commissions and bonus.
- Part IV left blank, or signed with no printed name and phone number.
- A benefits-office form sent to a mortgage lender, or Form 1005 sent to a benefits office.

## Every field of Form 1005 and who completes it

Fannie Mae lists seven fields as optional; every other field must be completed when it applies to the borrower ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)). The table follows the item numbers printed on the form.

| Item | What goes in it | Completed by | Required? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Item 1 and 2 | Employer name and address; lender name and address | Lender | Yes |
| Item 3, 4 and 5 | Lender signature, title and date, certifying the form went straight to the employer | Lender | Yes |
| Item 6 | Lender’s loan number | Lender | Optional on the form ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)) |
| Item 7 and 8 | Applicant name, address, employee or badge number, and signature | Lender, then applicant | Yes |
| Item 9 and 10 | Date of employment and present position | Employer | Yes |
| Item 11 | Probability of continued employment | Employer | Optional ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)) |
| Item 12A and 12B | Current base pay and period; gross earnings year to date and past two years by type ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)) | Employer | Yes |
| Item 13 | Military pay grade and allowances | Employer | Military only |
| Item 14 | Whether overtime or bonus is likely to continue | Employer | Optional ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)) |
| Item 15 | Average hours per week, if paid hourly | Employer | If hourly |
| Item 16 and 17 | Date and projected amount of the next raise | Employer | Optional ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)) |
| Item 18 and 19 | Date and amount of the last raise | Employer | Optional ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)) |
| Item 20 | Remarks, such as time off work and the reason | Employer | If it applies |
| Item 21, 22, 23 and 25 | Previous job: date hired, date terminated, pay at termination, position held | Employer | Former employees |
| Item 24 | Reason for leaving | Employer | Optional ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)) |
| Item 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 | Employer signature, title, date, printed name and phone number | Employer | Yes |

## How the form travels between lender, borrower and employer

The form’s own instructions set the route, and lenders reject a form that took a shortcut. A **direct return** means the employer sends the completed form to the lender itself, never through the applicant or anyone else with an interest in the loan ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

Fannie Mae requires the borrower’s signature on Form 1005 when the lender asks the employer directly; a signed blanket authorization form can serve instead ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)). With a blanket authorization, the form’s instructions say to attach a copy of it to each Form 1005 sent ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

1. The lender completes the request items and signs Part I.
2. The applicant signs the authorization line.
3. The lender sends the form to the employer named in the first item.
4. The employer completes Part II for a current job or Part III for a past one.
5. The employer signs Part IV and returns the form to the lender named in Part I ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

## Written, verbal and electronic verification compared

Lenders mix three methods, and each has a different job in the file.

- Written VOE: HUD defines it as a document-based verification based on information the employer provides in writing ([HUD Handbook 4000.1, Employment Related Income](https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/Housing/documents/40001-hsgh-Update-18.pdf)). Form 1005 is the standard example.
- **An electronic VOE** is, in HUD’s words, a system-generated verification pulled from the employer’s payroll system through a vendor, without human intervention ([HUD Handbook 4000.1, Employment Related Income](https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/Housing/documents/40001-hsgh-Update-18.pdf)).
- Verbal VOE: a last confirmation near closing that the job still exists; see [verbal verification of employment](/documents/verbal-verification-of-employment) for its timing.
- Fannie Mae accepts vendor verifications when the borrower authorized them and their date meets the document-age rule ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)).

## How long a completed form stays valid

A completed Form 1005 has a shelf life. Fannie Mae counts it as a credit document, and credit documents must be no more than four months old on the note date ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B1-1-03, Allowable Age of Credit Documents](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b1-1-03/allowable-age-credit-documents-and-federal-income-tax-returns)). If the form ages out before closing, the lender has to update it ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B1-1-03, Allowable Age of Credit Documents](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b1-1-03/allowable-age-credit-documents-and-federal-income-tax-returns)).

A fresh form does not replace the final check. For borrowers paid as employees, the lender still confirms the job no more than 10 business days before the note date ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.1-04, Verbal Verification of Employment](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.1-04/verbal-verification-employment)).

For current employment, one FHA route is the most recent pay stub plus a written VOE covering two years; an electronic VOE covering two years is the other ([HUD Handbook 4000.1, Employment Related Income](https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/Housing/documents/40001-hsgh-Update-18.pdf)).

## If the employer does not return the form

Employers sometimes ignore the form or route it to a vendor. Fannie Mae lets the borrower’s own documents carry the file: pay stubs and W-2 forms, an IRS Wage and Income transcript, or the final year-to-date pay stub ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)).

The most recent pay stub must be dated no earlier than 30 days before the initial application date and show year-to-date earnings ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)). Ask the borrower for these early, such as on the day the form goes out, so a silent employer does not hold up closing. The pay stub guide shows what a usable stub looks like.

## The template: Request for verification of employment (Form 1005 layout)

A fillable copy laid out like Form 1005, for lenders who need an editable version. Fannie Mae’s official PDF is still the July 96 edition ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)); where an investor requires that form, use it and keep this copy as a field guide. Return it directly to the lender.

```text
Privacy Act Notice: This information is to be used by the agency collecting it or its assignees in determining whether you qualify as a prospective mortgagor under its program. It will not be disclosed outside the agency except as required and permitted by law. You do not have to provide this information, but if you do not your application for approval as a prospective mortgagor or borrower may be delayed or rejected. The information requested in this form is authorized by Title 38, USC, Chapter 37 (if VA); by 12 USC, Section 1701 et. seq. (if HUD/FHA); by 42 USC, Section 1452b (if HUD/CPD); and Title 42 USC, 1471 et. seq., or 7 USC, 1921 et. seq. (if USDA/FmHA).
Instructions: Lender, complete items 1 through 7. Have applicant complete item 8. Forward directly to employer named in item 1. Employer, please complete either Part II or Part III as applicable. Complete Part IV and return directly to lender named in item 2.

To (employer): [Employer name, payroll or HR address]
From (lender): [Lender name, address]
Lender’s loan number: [Loan number]
Applicant: [Applicant name, address, employee or badge number]

Request for verification of employment

Part I: lender certification
I certify that this request was sent directly to the employer and did not pass through the hands of the applicant or any other interested party. Lender signature: ________ Title: [title] Date: [date]

Part I: applicant authorization
I have applied for a mortgage loan and stated that I am now or was formerly employed by you. My signature authorizes you to verify this information. Applicant signature: ________

Part II: present employment
Date of employment: [date]. Present position: [title]. Current gross base pay: $[amount] per [year / month / week / hour / other]. If hourly, average hours per week: [hours].

Part II: gross earnings
Year to date through [date]: base $[ ], overtime $[ ], commissions $[ ], bonus $[ ], total $[ ]. Past year [year]: same split. Year before [year]: same split.

Part II: optional employer statements (optional)
Probability of continued employment: [ ]. Overtime or bonus likely to continue: [Yes / No]. Next raise: [date, amount]. Last raise: [date, amount].

Part II: military personnel only (optional)
Pay grade: [ ]. Monthly amounts: base pay, rations, flight or hazard, clothing, quarters, pro pay, overseas or combat, variable housing allowance: $[ ] each.

Part II: remarks (optional)
Time off work, the period and the reason, or a reduced schedule: [remarks].

Part III: previous employment (optional)
Date hired: [date]. Date terminated: [date]. Pay at termination per [year / month / week]: base $[ ], overtime $[ ], commissions $[ ], bonus $[ ]. Position held: [title]. Reason for leaving (optional): [ ].

Part IV: authorized signature. Federal statutes provide severe penalties for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or criminal connivance or conspiracy purposed to influence the issuance of any guaranty or insurance by the VA Secretary, the U.S.D.A., FmHA/FHA Commissioner, or the HUD/CPD Assistant Secretary.
Employer signature: ____________________   Date: __________
Title: [Title]   Printed name: [Name]   Phone: [Phone]
Return directly to the lender named above.
```

Download: [Word](https://dokutrak.com/downloads/pseo-v2/f6-document-guides/verification-of-employment-form.docx) · [PDF](https://dokutrak.com/downloads/pseo-v2/f6-document-guides/verification-of-employment-form.pdf)

## Questions people ask

### Can I fill out the verification of employment form myself?

Only your part. You sign the authorization in Part I; the employment and pay sections must be completed and signed by your employer and sent straight to the lender ([Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005)).

### Which Form 1005 fields can the employer leave blank?

Fannie Mae lists seven optional fields: continued employment, likely overtime or bonus, next raise date and amount, last raise date and amount, and reason for leaving ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)). The other fields must be completed when they apply.

### Do Equifax or other verification services count for a mortgage?

They can. Fannie Mae accepts a third-party vendor verification if the borrower authorized it, its date meets the age rule and the lender is satisfied with the vendor’s quality controls ([Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)).

### Is there a different verification of employment form for food stamps or housing?

Yes. Benefit and housing agencies use their own forms, usually asking for hours, pay rate, pay frequency and start or end dates. Use the form the agency sends, not the mortgage form.

**Not advice.** This page is general information, not tax, legal or HR advice. Rules change: check the cited source and ask your own professional before you rely on it. Last reviewed October 25, 2026.

## Sources

- [Fannie Mae Form 1005, Request for Verification of Employment](https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/document/pdf/form-1005): The July 96 edition lists items 1 to 30 in four parts, carries the Privacy Act Notice and the Part IV penalty warning, and requires the employer to return the form directly to the lender, not through the applicant.
- [Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-01, Standards for Employment and Income Documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation): Makes Form 1005 fields 11, 14, 16 to 19 and 24 optional, requires the borrower to sign it, and accepts vendor verifications and borrower-provided pay stubs and W-2 forms.
- [Fannie Mae Selling Guide B1-1-03, Allowable Age of Credit Documents](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b1-1-03/allowable-age-credit-documents-and-federal-income-tax-returns): Employment and income documents must be no more than four months old on the note date, or be updated.
- [Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.1-04, Verbal Verification of Employment](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.1-04/verbal-verification-employment): Employment is confirmed again no more than 10 business days before the note date for borrowers using employment income.
- [HUD Handbook 4000.1, Employment Related Income](https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/Housing/documents/40001-hsgh-Update-18.pdf): Defines written and electronic verification of employment and accepts a pay stub plus a two-year written VOE for FHA loans.

## More on this topic

- [Verification of employment letter](/documents/verification-of-employment-letter)
- [W-2 guide](/documents/w-2)
- [Mortgage document checklist](/blog/mortgage-document-checklist)
- [Document collection for mortgage brokers](/for/mortgage-brokers)

## About the author

Arthur Teboul (Founder, DokuTrak) is building DokuTrak after watching professionals lose hours chasing clients for documents over email. [Arthur Teboul](/authors/arthur-teboul).

How this page was made (methodology): it is built from the primary sources listed under Sources, and every rule and figure on it links to the source it comes from. Last updated October 25, 2026. Spotted an error or a rule that changed? [Contact us](/contact).

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