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Salary certificate

Salary certificates, explained

A salary certificate is a signed note from your employer that confirms your pay. Lenders ask for one with a mortgage application, and landlords sometimes ask for proof of income. Here is what goes in it and how to get it.

What a salary certificate includes

  • Your job title and whether your role is permanent or contract
  • Your start date and length of service
  • Your gross annual salary, and often your net (take-home) pay
  • Any regular extras — overtime, shift premium, bonus or allowances
  • The employer's stamp and an authorised signature

How to get one

For a mortgage, the lender gives you their own salary certificate form. Pass it to your HR or payroll team to complete, sign and stamp. Banks such as Bank of Ireland and AIB each use their own template, so use the form your lender supplies rather than a generic one.

For a rental, a recent payslip plus a short letter from your employer is often enough; ask the agent what they need before you request anything.

Get your figures right first

A salary certificate shows both gross and net pay. Check your take-home on the salary calculator so the figures match your payslip, and see what your income could borrow with the mortgage affordability calculator.

Salary certificate — common questions

What is a salary certificate?
A salary certificate is a short, signed document from your employer confirming your gross and net pay, job title, start date and employment status. Banks and landlords use it to verify income for a mortgage, loan or rental application.
How do I get a salary certificate?
Ask your HR or payroll department. For a mortgage, the lender usually gives you their own salary certificate form, which your employer completes and stamps. Most lenders, including Bank of Ireland and AIB, have their own template.
What is the difference between a salary certificate and a payslip?
A payslip shows one pay period. A salary certificate is a summary signed by your employer confirming your overall pay and employment, often on the lender's own form. Mortgage applications usually need both, plus recent bank statements.
How long is a salary certificate valid?
Lenders generally want one dated within the last few months. If your application drags on, you may be asked for an up-to-date certificate.