What Is a Salary Verification Letter?
A salary verification letter confirms a specific salary or hourly pay rate, commonly requested by name in mortgage underwriting and visa or immigration paperwork.
What is a salary verification letter?
A salary verification letter is a formal letter, usually from an employer, confirming an employee's current pay rate — either an annual salary or an hourly wage. Unlike a general proof-of-income letter, it's requested specifically by that name in certain contexts, most often mortgage underwriting and visa or immigration applications, where the requesting institution's checklist literally asks for a "salary verification letter."
What it should include
Employee's full name and job title, the exact salary or hourly rate, how long they've been paid at that rate, employment status (full-time, part-time), and the name, title and contact details of whoever signs it — usually HR or a direct manager, so the recipient can call to confirm if needed.
Salary verification letter vs. pay stub
A pay stub shows one pay period's actual numbers, including deductions and net pay. A salary verification letter is a plain-language statement of the rate itself, without any of that detail — lenders and immigration reviewers often want both: the letter as a quick confirmation, and pay stubs as the underlying proof.
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Frequently asked questions
Who signs a salary verification letter?
Usually someone in HR or a direct manager with authority to confirm pay — for a small business, that's often the owner.
Does it need to match my pay stubs exactly?
Yes — the rate stated should match what your actual pay stubs show; a mismatch is one of the first things underwriters check for.