Can a co-borrower be removed from auto loan?

Asked by: Buck Haley  |  Last update: March 11, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (26 votes)

The short answer is yes! Removing a cosigner from a car loan is absolutely possible, but there are a few different routes you can take to achieve it. The finance team at Marietta Toyota has outlined the purpose of a cosigner along with common ways to release them from a car loan below, so read on!

Can a co-owner be removed from a car loan?

It is important to note, however, that a co-borrower has equal ownership in the vehicle. Be sure that you and your co-borrower understand and agree to any terms before applying. If your co-borrower ever wants to remove themselves from the loan, you must refinance again to remove them from your policy.

What rights does a co-borrower have on a car loan?

As an equal partner on the financial agreement, a co-buyer shares the benefits of ownership and the financial accountability. This means that the co-buyer and the primary borrower have the same rights, such as the ability to sell the vehicle or trade it in (though both parties would have to agree to do so).

How to take someone's name off a car loan?

The good news is that refinancing the car loan is the only way to remove a co-borrower's name from the loan and title. By refinancing, either you or your ex-spouse can become the sole owner of the vehicle, and your name can be removed from the loan and title.

How to remove co-borrower from car title after payoff?

Can a Co-Borrower be Removed From the Title? The lender must approve removing a co-borrower from a title. Typically, you must refinance the loan and qualify on your own for the lender to approve removing them from the auto loan and title.

How to Pay Off Your Car Loan Faster (it's NOT Velocity Banking)

42 related questions found

Can I remove myself as a co-borrower on a car loan?

A co-signer or co-borrower can request a release from a car loan, refinance the loan, pay off the loan or sell the vehicle to remove themselves from the loan agreement. It is important to communicate with the other borrower and come to an agreement on how to handle the loan before taking any action.

Can a co-borrower be removed from title?

While only one co-borrower will retain ownership of the home after the other is removed from the mortgage, the departing co-borrower may still have to take additional action to remove their name from the house title and give up their ownership rights.

Can you remove someone from an auto loan without refinancing?

But if your circumstances change over time or your credit score improves and you would like to remove the co-signer from your loan, there are three primary options. You can refinance, get a co-signer release or pay off the loan.

How do I remove my ex-husband from my car title?

Removing a name from a car title post-divorce
  1. First, find out as much as you can about this process from your local DMV. ...
  2. Get a certified copy of your divorce decree. ...
  3. Obtain pertinent information about the car. ...
  4. Fill out the necessary paperwork provided by the DMV. ...
  5. Submit your paperwork to the DMV.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

Request release from a co-signed loan

Co-signers can make a written request to the lender to be released from a loan. In certain cases, like some student loans, there may be a provision that allows a co-signer to take their name off a loan.

Does a co-borrower go on the title?

Their credentials are used, in conjunction with yours, to qualify for a home loan. This means they share the financial responsibility of loan repayment and have partial ownership of the asset. For our purposes, the asset will be your home. This means your co-borrowers' name will appear next to yours on the title.

Can a co-buyer take the car from the buyer?

Yes. Each of your have a right to keep the vehicle in your posession. However, if you try to get the vehicle from the other owner, you cannot breach the peace to take it, and example: you cannot break into a garage or somethng like that.

Do both parties have to be present to sell a car?

Even though you both own the car, you may not both need to be present when you sell or trade the vehicle. When you need to sell the car but the co-borrower can't be there, you may be able to sign over the title without them, but you can't do it without their permission.

Does a co borrower have rights to the car?

A co-borrower, also known as a joint applicant, shares equal ownership rights of the car with the primary borrower. They have legal authority to use the vehicle as they please.

Can you remove a co applicant from a car loan?

However, at some point after the fact, you may be wondering, “Can you remove a cosigner from a car loan?” if you find you're in a position where you no longer need the cosigner. The short answer is yes!

How do I get my name off a car title?

The person whose name is being removed from the title should complete the sections on the back of the title certificate as though he or she were selling the car. The other person, whose name is remaining on the title, will be listed as the buyer.

How do I get my ex husband's name off my car loan?

This can be done by refinancing the car loan and making either one of you the sole owner of the vehicle. Refinancing is the only way to remove a co-borrower from an auto loan.

Does it matter whose name is first on a car title?

The order of the names on the title do not matter.

Can I sell my car if my ex is on the title?

If the title reads AND then your ex will need to sign a number of documents to sell the car- this is specifically to prevent one party from selling the car without the other party's active involvement.

How to remove co-borrower from car title?

You'll need to have the co-signer sign the title over to you. Call your local DMV and ask for help with which forms to fill out. It will be similar to a divorce where the vehicle title is not awarded in the divorce decree.

Can you remove a co-borrower without refinancing?

A loan assumption or modification could release a co-borrower from your mortgage without refinancing, preserving the current homeownership. However, lenders aren't required to grant these options, so be prepared to negotiate.

Can you take over someone's car loan?

While most lenders frown upon auto loan assumptions, some lenders may allow a loan takeover under certain circumstances. Provided the new borrower fills out an application to see if they qualify to assume the responsibility of the vehicle and payments, they may essentially apply for a new loan.

How to get a co-borrower off a loan?

Removing a cosigner or co-borrower from a mortgage almost always requires paying off the loan in full or refinancing by getting a new loan in your own name. Under rare circumstances, though, the lender may allow you to take over an existing mortgage from your other signer.

How do I remove someone from the title?

If the person to be removed is alive, then you will need a court order or their cooperation such that you can record a new deed that removes them. Quitclaim and warranty deeds are common solutions. If an owner of a property has passed away, you will need to transfer the property to the living owners.

How to remove primary borrower from auto loan?

Removing Your Name From A Joint Auto Loan
  1. Pay off the loan. If you can pay off the remaining balance, then you end the loan and the obligation to the loan contract. ...
  2. Refinance. If one co-borrower wants to keep the car and one wants their name removed from the loan, they can try to qualify for refinancing. ...
  3. Sell the car.