A short letter like this sample gift letter will cover all of the requirements your lender needs. What is a gift letter?A gift letter is a document that certifies the funds you're receiving for your down payment are a gift, not a loan. The gift letter provides assurance to the lender that the down payment is not a loan or a form of undisclosed debt. Using gift funds for down payment require a mortgage gift letter template. Using gift funds for down payment require a mortgage gift letter template. Use these stepbystep instructions for accepting a cash downpayment gift on a home, including a readytouse mortgage gift letter template. A gift letter is a document certifying that your family member is giving you money to cover all or a portion of your down payment or closing costs. Most lenders will provide a gift letter template or prefilled form. This amount can be in the form of a gift if the gift is documented with a gift letter provided to the first mortgage lender.