One Document List for Conventional and Jumbo Loans
Gather these once, start your application in about 2 minutes, and we will match you to the right loan size.
A conventional loan is the most common home loan. A jumbo loan is a conventional-style loan that is bigger than the normal limit.
This checklist covers both: what everyone gathers, what self-employed buyers add, and what changes when the loan is jumbo. The JD.Mortgage Team at PRMG is a direct lender. 25+ years, 3,100+ closed loans, Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2026. Lending in 49 states. New York excluded.
What Documents Do You Need for a Conventional Loan? The Short Answer
For a conventional loan, have a photo ID, pay stubs covering the last 30 days, 2 years of W-2s and 2 months of bank statements. First-time buyers can put as little as 3% down. Loans above $832,750 in most counties are jumbo loans, and they can ask for tax returns and more money left in the bank after closing.
Who Needs What, at a Glance
| Document | Conventional | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Yes | Yes |
| Pay stubs (30 days) | Yes | Yes |
| W-2s (2 years) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank statements | 2 months | 2 months, plus proof of money left after closing |
| Tax returns (2 years) | If self-employed, commission or rentals | Often required |
Your Conventional Loan Checklist
Everyone
- ☐ Photo ID: driver’s license, state ID or passport
- ☐ Pay stubs covering the last 30 days
- ☐ W-2s from the last 2 years
- ☐ Bank statements: last 2 months, all pages
Self-employed, commission or rental income
- ☐ Tax returns from the last 2 years, all pages and schedules
Jumbo loans also ask for
- ☐ Tax returns, even for many W-2 earners
- ☐ Statements showing money you will still have in the bank after closing. We tell you the amount for your loan.
If it applies to you
- ☐ Divorce decree
- ☐ Child support or alimony orders
- ☐ Bankruptcy papers
- ☐ A signed gift letter, if family is helping with the down payment
Not sure whether your loan is jumbo? Start the application and we will tell you where your price lands.
Start My ApplicationDown Payment and Loan Size
- First-time buyers: as little as 3% down on a conventional loan.
- Under 20% down: you pay private mortgage insurance. It can come off once you reach 20% equity.
- Jumbo: above $832,750 in most counties for 2026, higher in high-cost areas.
- Veterans: a VA jumbo loan can mean $0 down with full entitlement. See the VA checklist.
See the conventional loans page and the jumbo loans page for more detail.
How to Apply, Step by Step
Start the application
It takes about 2 minutes. No SSN and no credit pull on the first step.
We match the loan
We compare conventional and jumbo options on your price, down payment and credit.
Upload your documents
Use the checklist above. We pull credit and verify your job.
Get your pre-approval
You shop with a letter built on the guide for your loan.
Conventional and Jumbo Loan Application FAQ
What documents do I need for a conventional loan?
You need a photo ID, pay stubs covering the last 30 days, 2 years of W-2s and 2 months of bank statements. Self-employed borrowers, commission earners and rental owners also send 2 years of tax returns. Divorce, child support and gift papers are only needed if they apply.
How much do I need to put down on a conventional loan?
First-time buyers can put as little as 3% down. With less than 20% down, you pay private mortgage insurance, and it can come off once you reach 20% equity in the home.
When is a loan a jumbo loan?
In most counties, any loan above $832,750 in 2026 is a jumbo loan. High-cost counties have higher limits. Jumbo loans follow their own rules for credit, down payment and money left in the bank.
Do jumbo loans need more documents?
Often, yes. Many jumbo loans ask for tax returns even from W-2 earners, and they want proof of money you will still have after closing. We tell you the exact amount for your loan before you upload anything.
Can a veteran get a jumbo loan with no down payment?
Yes. With full VA entitlement, VA sets no loan limit, so a veteran can buy above $832,750 with $0 down. The VA checklist covers what that application needs.
How long does the first step take?
About 2 minutes. There is no SSN and no credit pull on the first step. After that, we match you to conventional or jumbo and send you the exact documents your file needs.
Related Pages
About the Author
J.D. Peck is an Area Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #314883) with the JD.Mortgage Team at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (NMLS #75243), based in Colorado Springs. 25+ years, 3,100+ closed loans, Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2026. Lending in 49 states. New York excluded.
Last updated: September 25, 2026. Program facts sourced from the Fannie Mae Selling Guide, the Freddie Mac Guide and the PRMG Jumbo product profiles (09/17/2026).
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