Getting pre-approved for a mortgage typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the lender and how quickly you provide the required documentation.

• Many lenders can issue a basic pre-approval letter in as little as 3 minutes if you provide minimal information online

• A verified pre-approval, which requires uploading financial documents like W-2s, pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements, usually takes about 20 minutes to submit and then some additional time for review, often resulting in the letter within the same day or up to 1-3 business days

• Some lenders may take 2-3 business days depending on how quickly you submit documents and their internal process

• In some cases, especially if your financial situation is complex or if the lender has a heavy workload, it can take up to a week or even longer, sometimes up to 10 business days

To speed up the process, have all your financial documents ready before applying and choose a lender with an efficient online pre-approval system. Once pre-approved, you typically receive a pre-approval letter that is valid for 60 to 90 days, which you can use to show sellers you are a serious buyer

. In summary, most people get pre-approved within the same day to a few days, but the exact time depends on document readiness, lender efficiency, and complexity of your financial profile.