Fannie Mae Legal Documents (New)
The files on this page are the newest legal documents available. These updated legal documents may be used immediately, but must be used as of January 2023. Prior versions of the legal documents are accessible on the retiring Fannie Mae Legal Documents page.
For more information on the updated instruments, refer to the Uniform Instruments Update Fact Sheet.
All of the security instruments, notes, riders & addenda, and special purpose documents that should be used in connection with regularly amortizing one- to four-family conventional first mortgages that are sold to Fannie Mae are available for viewing, printing, or downloading in Microsoft® Word format.
Each document is accompanied by an Instructions document providing:
- the latest revision date for the document;
- the document’s purpose and the type of mortgage transactions for which it is used;
- specific changes that must be made to the document;
- additional changes that may be made to the document, and
- other pertinent information about how special situations may affect the use or completion of the document.
This page provides downloadable copies of standard and negotiated instruments, including:
- Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Uniform Instruments
- Fannie Mae Uniform Instruments (marked with an*)
Riders & Addenda
It is sometimes necessary to add (or delete) provisions to the security instrument or note for regularly amortizing mortgages to acknowledge special provisions that either apply or do not apply for certain:
- types of mortgages (such as adjustable-rate mortgages, Texas Section 50(a)(6) mortgages, etc.);
- property types (such as condominiums, PUDs, or one- to-four-family properties); or
- occupancy statuses (such as second homes).
The amendments are incorporated by the use of a rider (to the security instrument) or an addendum (to either the note or the security instrument).
Occasionally, an addendum is also used to amend a rider.
Security Instruments
Security instruments for regularly amortizing mortgages include the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Uniform Mortgages, Mortgage Deeds, Deeds of Trust, or Security Deeds for each of the jurisdictions from which we purchase conventional mortgages.
- Master/Short Forms: Many states have statutes that allow originating lenders to record a Master Form in a given recording district and then to record a Short Form for any mortgage loan originated in that district after that time. The Short Form contains the loan-specific information (e.g., borrower name, lender name, loan amount, description of property, etc.) and identifies the provisions of the Master Form that are being incorporated into the Short Form. The borrower signs the Short Form document and any applicable riders, and the lender must provide the borrower with a copy of the recorded Master Form. Master Forms and Short Forms are available for the states that have authorized their use.
Special Purpose Documents
Special purpose documents are designed for use:
- as an alternative to the standard security instrument and note under certain circumstances (as is the case with the New York Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement);
- in connection with specific types of mortgages that require extra documentation in addition to the standard security instruments, notes, riders, and addenda (such as the affidavit and agreement that is required for Texas Section 50(a)(6) mortgages or documentation related to HomeStyle® Renovation mortgages);
- when changes are made to the terms of a mortgage (such as the Loan Modification Agreement); or
- as a standardized means of assigning a security instrument.
