What paperwork does an SBA Express application require?
Short answer
SBA Form 1919 plus whatever your lender requires. SBA Express lenders primarily use their own forms (sba.gov/sba-lenders), and SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 20, Para. B.3 also requires IRS tax transcripts.
SBA Form 1919 plus whatever your lender's own process requires. SBA says SBA Express lenders primarily use their own forms and procedures (sba.gov/sba-lenders, read November 8, 2026). SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 20, Para. B.3 sets the SBA minimums.
Expect at least these items
- SBA Form 1919, signed, with a separate one for each co-borrower (Appendix 20, Para. A.1.a).
- A personal financial statement for each owner of 20% or more (Para. A.1.c).
- Proof of U.S. national status, if that applies (Para. A.1.m).
- A copy of your lease, if you lease (Para. A.1.e).
- Franchise, real estate purchase or business purchase documents, when relevant (Para. A.1.i-k).
- Notes and statements for any debt being refinanced (Para. A.1.l).
Equipment and collateralProperty a lender can take and sell if a loan is not repaid. lists are needed only as far as necessary to document the use of proceeds and support the credit analysis (Para. B.3).
IRS tax transcripts
The lender must get IRS tax transcripts in every case. How it uses them depends on whether it underwrites on your business financials (Sec. A, Ch. 5, Para. B.4.g).
Loan documents
The lender may use its own note and guaranty forms or SBA Forms 147, 148 and 148L (Sec. B, Ch. 6, Para. D.4). Lenders can ask for more than SBA requires, and requests vary by lender.
Ask lending partners about your loan
Tell us the amount you need and what it is for. We refer you to lenders that may fund businesses like yours, and it costs you nothing.
Janover Capital LLC is not a lender and is not the SBA. The lender makes the credit decision. A lender or marketplace may pay us a referral fee if we connect you, at no cost to you. Advertiser disclosure.