Do I have to refinance my car to remove a cosigner?

Asked by: Ms. Naomie Senger DDS  |  Last update: April 4, 2024
Score: 4.8/5 (42 votes)

Refinancing the loan: If you want to remove a cosigner from your car loan, you may be able to refinance the loan in your name so it becomes your responsibility alone. For example, if you've recently gone through a divorce and your ex-spouse is a cosigner on your loan, you could refinance the loan in your name only.

Can you remove a cosigner from a car loan without refinancing?

Removing a Cosigner from Your Auto Loan

If you're wondering “how to remove a cosigner from a car loan,” it is possible to do so. Contact your lender to discuss options. They will only agree if your credit history has improved to the point where you're not a risk to them.

Can I remove a cosigner without refinancing?

Yes, it is possible to take sole responsibility for a home that you're currently sharing without refinancing, even if your ex-spouse or another co-borrower or cosigner is currently on the mortgage.

Do you have to refinance your auto loan if you remove someone?

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 do I get my name off a car loan as a cosigner?

Options if you co-signed a car loan
  1. Get a co-signer release. While not all lenders offer this, a co-signer release is simply paperwork that removes the co-signer from the loan. ...
  2. Vehicle refinance. ...
  3. Pay off the loan. ...
  4. Pay off the loan. ...
  5. Sell the vehicle. ...
  6. Refinance the vehicle.

How to Take a Co-Signer Off a Car Loan

20 related questions found

How hard is it to remove a cosigner from a car 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.

Can a cosigner remove himself from a car loan?

Fortunately, you can have your name removed, but you will have to take the appropriate steps depending on the cosigned loan type. Basically, you have two options: You can enable the main borrower to assume total control of the debt or you can get rid of the debt entirely.

Can you remove someone from title without refinancing?

If you want to remove a name from a joint mortgage loan, whether it is your name or the name of your co-borrower, it is possible to do so without refinancing. This situation might occur if a relationship breaks up or a living situation changes.

How do I remove a co buyer from my car loan?

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 long does a cosigner stay on a car loan?

A cosigner can, more or less, be removed at any point during the lifetime of a loan. How you choose to go about it and your financial situation — as in the case of refinancing the loan — may impact your ability to take advanatage of some options, though.

What rights does a cosigner have on a car?

Similar to a home loan, you can be a cosigner for an auto loan. However, being a cosigner doesn't give you rights to the car that loan will purchase. A cosigner doesn't have any legal rights to the vehicle, so they can't take the car from its rightful owner, the primary borrower.

Does a cosigner own the car?

The cosigner is legally responsible for the debt if the primary borrower can't make payments. Any late or missed payments can negatively impact both parties' credit scores. Furthermore, the cosigner doesn't have any ownership of the vehicle.

What happens to a co-signer when a car is repossessed?

You may still owe money on the repossessed car

As a co-signer, you are legally responsible for the loan. This means you are responsible for paying back any money owed on the loan. Once a car is repossessed, the lender can sell or auction the vehicle to receive back loan funds.

How can I legally remove myself as a cosigner?

  1. Transfer the balance to a 0% card.
  2. Get a loan release.
  3. Consolidate or refinance the debt.
  4. Remove your name from a credit card account.
  5. Sell the financed asset.
  6. Pay off the balance.
  7. Co-signing isn't forever.

Can you remove cosigner on title?

You may be wondering if you can go about removing a cosigner from a car loan, and the answer is yes, you can. Often, you can simply contact your lender to get a cosigner released, but sometimes it can be more complicated.

Who gets the car in a breakup?

If you and your significant other purchased the car together and both of your names are on the title (and on the lease), you may need to sell the car or have one owner buy out the other's share. Otherwise, you still legally share ownership of the car and must work together on splitting its use.

Can you switch cosigners on a car loan?

While it is possible to remove a co-signer from a loan, simply replacing one co-signer with another on the original loan is unlikely. The process is more complex and can involve refinancing the loan, completing co-signer release paperwork or simply paying the loan in full to end the co-signer's involvement.

Does a cosigner go on the title?

A co-signer applies for the home loan right along with you. However, they are not on the title of the home. The co-signers name is only on the loan, meaning that while they are financially responsible for paying back the mortgage, they do not have ownership of the property.

What is a cosigner release?

Releasing your co-signer means they are no longer responsible for the repayment of your loans. Some private loans allow you to remove the co-signer from your student loan after you've made a certain number of on-time payments.

How do I get a cosigner release form?

You'll generally find the cosigner release application on the lender's website, though you might also have the option to submit a paper form.

Can I sue to get my name off a loan?

If the borrower forged your signature, or if they committed fraud to enforce you to sign the loan contract, you can sue both the lender and the primary borrower to have your name removed. However, you'll need unquestionable proof that you did not willingly consent to cosign the loan.

How do I change ownership of a car refinance?

Follow the below steps to refinance a car into a different name:
  1. Refinance the Vehicle with a Co-Borrower. You can apply for a loan with a co-borrower. ...
  2. Refinance the Loan a Second Time to Remove Yourself from the Loan. ...
  3. Contact Your Lender. ...
  4. Determine Your Vehicle's Value. ...
  5. Secure the Proper Paperwork.

Who gets the credit on a cosigned loan?

Having a co-signer on the loan will help the primary borrower build their credit score (as long as they continue to make on-time payments). It could also help the co-signer build their credit score and credit history, if the primary borrower makes on-time payments throughout the course of the loan.

How does a voluntary repo affect a cosigner?

Your credit undergoes devastating, long-term effects when your car is repossessed. Both voluntary and involuntary car repossessions can even affect a cosigner's credit because each person shares the responsibility. However, a cosigner benefits from the same rights as the primary borrower if a repossession occurs.

Does being a cosigner show up on your credit report?

Once you cosign a loan or credit card, it's likely to show up on your credit report. In fact, the only way the new credit wouldn't show up on your credit report is if the lender fails to report it. It's important to note that most lenders report loans and credit accounts to the credit bureaus.