Can you remove cosigner from a car loan?

Asked by: Dr. Olaf O'Reilly IV  |  Last update: April 8, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (38 votes)

How to remove a co-signer from a car loan. Removing a co-signer from a car loan requires the loan to be paid off. If there's a balance remaining, that amount must be refinanced. The primary borrower could possibly qualify alone, or a new co-signer may be needed.

How hard is it to remove a cosigner from a car loan?

You can remove the co-signer by refinancing your auto loan, receiving a co-signer release or paying off the loan. Before removing the co-signer, ensure your credit score is high enough to receive the same or comparable rate if you refinance.

Can I take my name off a cosigned car loan?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to unilaterally remove a cosigner. It requires the consent of all parties, including the lessor.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

lenders do not remove co signers from loans. The debt has to be retired. This can be done by paying it off directly or refinancing the loan.

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.

How to Take a Co-Signer Off a Car Loan

31 related questions found

Can you remove someone from a car loan without refinancing?

Key takeaways

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 you kick out a co-owner?

Miller & Starr, the leading treatise on California real estate, explains that: “As between the cotenants, each has the right to enter on and to occupy the entire property, and no cotenant has the right to exclude another cotenant from any portion of the property.” Right to possession, 4 Cal. Real Est.

How soon can you take a cosigner off an auto loan?

You can often remove a cosigner at any point during the loan period. Your loan paperwork might dictate specific terms, though. For example, some lenders require 24 months of on-time payments from the primary borrower before they'll consider releasing the cosigner.

Will removing myself as a cosigner hurt my credit?

Being removed as a cosigner from a loan could potentially hurt your credit scores. How much your scores are impacted depends on the details of your credit profile.

How to get co-signer off car title?

Removing a co-signer from a car loan requires the loan to be paid off. If there's a balance remaining, that amount must be refinanced. The primary borrower could possibly qualify alone, or a new co-signer may be needed.

What rights does a co-signer have on a car?

While you don't necessarily have the same rights to the vehicle as the primary borrower, you – as the co-signer – are equally responsible for ensuring the loan is paid back. If the primary borrower doesn't make their monthly loan payment, you will be asked to make the payment.

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

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 to get a co-signer release?

Apply to release your cosigner
  1. Provide proof of graduation or completion of a certificate program.
  2. Be old enough to enter a legally binding contract where you live.
  3. Be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident at the time you submit the request.
  4. Provide proof of income.

How do I remove someone's name from a car title?

When the title states “and/or” or “or” in the name field, only one person needs to consent to remove a name. If it only contains the word “and,” both parties need to agree to remove any name from the title. Therefore, you'll need to get consent from the co owner.

Can cosigner take full ownership of a car?

Unlike co-borrowers, who are on the title or have some claim to the property or funds, co-signers have no title or ownership of the property the funds are used for. For example, a co-signer for a vehicle has no legal right to the financed vehicle.

Does refinancing remove cosigners?

If you decide to refinance, you are not required to apply with your previous cosigner, which would effectively release them from your previous loans.

Will my credit score drop if I'm removed as an authorized user?

Your score may drop a bit when you are removed as an authorized user, but you can improve it over time by using your own credit accounts responsibly.

Can being a co-signer ruin your credit?

It can affect your credit scores.

Because a co-signed loan is recorded on your credit reports, any late or missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit scores. If the borrower defaults on the loan and ceases payment, the debt may be referred to a collection agency.

Can I refinance my car loan if I have a cosigner?

Refinancing your loan is the easiest way to switch co-signers. Whether you refinance with a new lender or the same one, you'll have the choice to apply with the same co-signer, a different co-signer or no co-signer at all. Just keep in mind that you'll need to qualify for the new loan.

How to get off a car loan as a co-signer?

If you cosigned for a loan, one of the quickest routes out is to apply to the lender for a cosigner release. This lets the cosigner off the hook, so that only the primary borrower is the one listed on the loan going forward. It's not quite so simple, however.

Whose credit score is used when buying a car with a co-signer?

Lenders may look at the credit score of both you and your co-signer. So, a co-signer with good credit — a score above 660 — may result in lower rates. The average auto loan rate for subprime borrowers on a new car is 12.28 percent.

Can you kick out a cosigner?

Removing a co-borrower or cosigner from a mortgage is possible but difficult, and your lender may insist that you pay off the mortgage in full or refinance the house by taking out a new loan solely in your name.

Can a co applicant move out?

If a co-tenant wants to leave before the end of the lease period, they should notify the landlord and get their permission. Otherwise, the other co-tenants can try to replace them with a new tenant who meets the landlord's standards.

How can I remove a co owner?

You can simply utilize a quitclaim deed, a deed of conveyance, or an interspousal transfer deed, depending on your situation. Here, you are making the conscious decision to release your interest in a property and transfer that interest to another individual, to the remaining owner(s), or into a Trust, for instance.

Is co owner the same as joint owner?

When two or more people own a property together, it is called co-ownership. These properties are called jointly-owned properties. These parties owning the property together could be business partners, friends, family, or another group of people having common interests.