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

Asked by: Dr. Eldon Gulgowski  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 5/5 (8 votes)

If your circumstances have shifted and you need to get your name off a car loan, you can get a release, refinance, sell the vehicle or pay off the car loan. To avoid any future headaches, check with the other borrower to ensure you are fully removed from the co-signed or co-borrowed auto loan.

Can you remove someone from a car loan without refinancing?

Yes you can, it's called a ``co-signer release'', but depending on the bank or financial establishment you got your loan from this option may be available to you depending on your current credit and financial situation.

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

Typically, the only way to get your name off the loan is for your spouse to refinance it in his or her name alone. If your spouse can't qualify for an auto loan by him or herself, or if he or she refuses to refinance the auto loan, it's worth the time to speak with a lawyer about your options.

How do you remove yourself from a joint car loan?

To get your name off of someone's car loan you have the option to request a co-signer release. Selling or trading in the vehicle is another way to remove a co-signer from a car loan. If these aren't options, you can ask them to refinance the loan without you.

How do I get my name off of my ex'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.

Can car loan cosigner take possession of the car?

43 related questions found

What happens to a joint car loan in a divorce?

If both names are on the loan or credit account, the creditor can pursue either spouse for repayment, regardless of the divorce agreement.

How do I remove the dealer name from the back of my car?

Removing the Decal

You'll need a heat source to soften the adhesive behind the decal. A sunny day may suffice; otherwise, just aim a hair dryer at the sticker. Next, slowly peel away the decal. If the adhesive is still too sticky, use a tool, such as a spatula, credit card, or even a string of floss.

How do I get out of a co-signed car loan?

Options for removing a co-signer from a car loan
  1. Refinance. One way to remove a co-signer from your loan is to refinance. ...
  2. Get a co-signer release. To get a co-signer release you will first need to contact your lender. ...
  3. Pay off the loan. The most painless way to remove a co-signer is to pay off the car loan.

Can you remove someone's name 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 you get your name removed from a joint loan?

Some lenders have a release option for co-signers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A release can be obtained after a certain number of on-time payments and a credit check of the original borrower to determine whether they are now creditworthy.

How do I get a car loan out of someone's name?

Sell the car

Removing the lien means paying off your entire loan balance. If you can sell the vehicle for what you owe on the loan (or hopefully more), the payoff amount goes to the lender, who removes the lien and you both can take your names off the title and relinquish ownership.

How do I remove my ex wife's name from my car title?

To get your ex-wife's name off of your vehicle title and registration in California, you will need to do the following: Obtain a copy of your divorce decree. Complete a DMV Statement of Facts form. Pay the applicable fees.

Whose credit score is used on a joint auto loan?

Whose Credit Score Is Used on a Joint Auto Loan? Lenders consider both borrowers' credit scores when considering joint auto loan applications. The borrowers must qualify for the lender to approve the loan. Payments, or the lack of payment, affect the borrowers' credit scores.

Can I remove my ex husband from my 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 you get your name off a loan without refinancing?

Bottom Line. While refinancing is the most straightforward and obvious way to remove a person from a mortgage, that option isn't always available or optimal. Doing so without refinancing is possible via mortgage assumption, loan modification or even bankruptcy.

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 do I get my name off a cosigned loan?

Your best option to get your name off a large cosigned loan is to have the person who's using the money refinance the loan without your name on the new loan. Another option is to help the borrower improve their credit history. You can ask the person using the money to make extra payments to pay off the loan faster.

Can I be removed from a joint 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 do I transfer a financed car to another person?

How do you transfer a car loan to someone else?
  1. Contact the lender. In general, you'll have to close out your own loan balance. ...
  2. File new paperwork. Once you and the borrower have agreed on a selling price for the car, it's time for the borrower to submit an application for a new loan. ...
  3. Update title and insurance.

Can I legally remove myself as a cosigner?

You can remove yourself as a co-signer, but it's not always easy. When you ask for a co-signer release, it's common to get turned down. When you co-sign a loan, you're taking on full responsibility for that financial obligation, along with the primary borrower.

How long does a cosigner stay on a car loan?

A co-signer doesn't need to stay on the loan for the life of it, either. After making the required principal and interest payments, you can apply to release them and manage repayment on your own.

Does refinancing a car hurt your credit?

Yes, refinancing your auto loan will usually hurt your credit a little. But if you make your new loan payments on time, any damage to your score will likely be both temporary and small. Your credit could bounce back to its current score in as little as a few months.

How can I remove a name from my 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 you sell your car back to the dealership you got it from?

The car is collateral for the loan, and until the loan is fully repaid, the lender holds a lien on the vehicle. So, can you sell your car back to the dealership if it's still under finance? Yes, you can.

How do I surrender my car back to the dealership?

How does voluntary repossession work? Voluntarily surrendering a car involves informing your lender that you can no longer make payments and intend to return it. Empty your car of all personal items and arrange the time and place to drop off your car and hand over the keys.