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DictionaryMoney

Gift letter: what it means

A gift letter is a document signed by the person who gives you money to buy a home, stating that the money is a gift and not a loan. For some loans, a gift can pay the down payment, closing costs or reserves, as long as you can prove where the money came from.

In Spanish it is

Carta de regalo

Also written as: gift funds letter · donor letter

The full explanation

Under Fannie Mae's rules, the letter states the amount of the gift, says no repayment is expected, and gives the donor's name, address, phone number and relationship to you. The lender also verifies that the money moved from the donor's account to yours or to the closing agent.

An example

Karina's parents give her part of the down payment. They sign a gift letter saying they do not expect the money back, and Karina keeps the transfer receipt for her lender.

You will see it in…

  • The lender's document list when someone gives you money
  • The record of the transfer from the donor to your account or the closing agent
  • Each loan's rules on who may give you a gift

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

A grandmother smiles, seated at home.

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

  1. 1. CFPB · Where can I get money for a down payment on a home? (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  2. 2. Fannie Mae · Selling Guide B3-4.3-04: Personal Gifts (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026