Everything You Need for an FHA Loan, on One List
Gather these once, start your application in about 2 minutes, and we will tell you exactly what your file needs.
An FHA loan lets you buy with as little as 3.5% down, and it is built for credit that is not perfect.
This FHA loan document checklist lists what to gather, what only some buyers need, and how the down payment rules work. The JD.Mortgage Team at PRMG is a direct lender, and we follow the HUD guide. 25+ years, 3,100+ closed loans, Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2026. Lending in 49 states. New York excluded.
What Documents Do You Need for an FHA Loan? The Short Answer
For an FHA loan, have a photo ID, pay stubs covering the last 30 days, 2 years of W-2s and 2 months of bank statements. Add 2 years of tax returns if you are self-employed. HUD allows 3.5% down with a 580 credit score, and the whole down payment can be a gift from family.
Who Needs What, at a Glance
| Document | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Everyone |
| Pay stubs (30 days) | Everyone with a job |
| W-2s (2 years) | Everyone with a job |
| Bank statements (2 months) | Everyone |
| Tax returns (2 years) | Self-employed, commission or rental income |
| Gift letter | If family helps with the down payment |
| Landlord contacts (2 years) | More complex credit situations |
Your FHA 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
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
- ☐ For more complex credit situations: the name and phone number of every landlord or property manager you have had in the last 2 years. If you lived rent-free, the name and number of the person you stayed with.
Not sure FHA is your best fit? Start the application and we will compare it to your other options.
Start My FHA ApplicationFHA Down Payment Rules
- 580 or higher: 3.5% down.
- 500 to 579: 10% down.
- Gifts: family can give you the whole down payment with a signed gift letter.
- Mortgage insurance: every FHA loan has it. That is the trade for the low down payment.
See the FHA loans page for how FHA compares to conventional and VA.
How to Apply for an FHA Loan, Step by Step
Start the application
It takes about 2 minutes. No SSN and no credit pull on the first step.
We review your scenario
We look at your credit, income and debts, then tell you which documents your file needs.
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 HUD guide.
FHA Loan Application FAQ
What documents do I need for an FHA 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, bankruptcy and gift papers are only needed if they apply to you.
How much do I need to put down on an FHA loan?
HUD allows 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher. With a score from 500 to 579, the down payment is 10%. The down payment can come from your own savings or from a gift.
Can family pay my FHA down payment?
Yes. HUD lets a family member give you the whole down payment. They sign a gift letter, and we document where the money came from and when it moved into your account.
Why would an FHA loan need my landlord contact information?
For more complex credit situations, we verify your rental history for the last 2 years. We ask for the name and phone number of each landlord or property manager. If you lived rent-free, we ask for the person you stayed with.
Do I need tax returns for an FHA loan?
Only in some cases. W-2 employees usually do not. You need 2 years of tax returns if you are self-employed, paid mostly on commission, or own rental property, because that income has to be averaged over 2 years.
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 review your scenario and send you the exact documents your file needs, so nothing gets requested twice.
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 HUD Handbook 4000.1.
Start Your FHA Application
It takes about 2 minutes. We review your file on the HUD guide and tell you exactly which documents to send.
What are you looking to do?
No SSN required. No credit pull. Takes about 2 minutes.