How Long Does Mortgage Approval Take?

The typical mortgage process takes 30 to 45 days from application to closing, though some loans can close in as few as 21 days with a responsive borrower and smooth underwriting. Pre-approval itself usually takes one to three business days once all documents are submitted. The longest portions of the timeline are usually the appraisal, which can take one to two weeks, and underwriting, which takes another week or more. Staying organized with your paperwork and responding quickly to lender requests is the best way to keep the process on track.