How hard is it to remove a cosigner?

Asked by: Eduardo Bayer PhD  |  Last update: October 28, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (66 votes)

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.

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.

Does removing a cosigner affect your credit?

However, if you still have a lower credit score when trying to remove the co-signer, it might place you on the hook for a car loan with a higher interest rate. This won't hurt your credit on its own, but with a higher interest rate, you'll have larger monthly payments.

How hard is it to get a cosigner release?

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. Check with your lender to figure out the requirements for qualifying for a co-signer release.

How do I get my name off a cosigned car?

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.

How to Remove a Cosigner From a Car Loan (Get Rid of a Cosigner)

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Can you eventually remove a cosigner?

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.

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 do I remove a co-signer from my car title?

To release a cosigner from the car title, you'll essentially do a title transfer from both owners to only your name. This step requires a few documents, including the original title signed by the 'sellers,' odometer verification, a valid government-issued ID, and proof of insurance.

Can I remove myself as a cosigner on a car?

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.

Can you remove someone from a car loan without refinancing?

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.

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 protect myself as a cosigner?

5 ways to protect yourself as a co-signer
  1. Serve as a co-signer only for close friends or relatives. One of loan co-signing's biggest risks is potential damage to your credit score. ...
  2. Keep copies of all the loan documents. ...
  3. Create a contract. ...
  4. Track monthly payments. ...
  5. Ensure you can afford payments.

What happens if I cosign for a car and the other person doesn't pay?

Usually, when you cosign a car loan, you agree to be responsible for the debt if the primary debtor doesn't make payments or otherwise defaults on the loan. If the primary debtor defaults on the loan, then the creditor has the right to repossess the car and sell it.

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.

Can I sue someone for not paying a loan I cosigned?

Yes, you can sue the person you co-signed for if they don't make the payments they promised to make. You may be able to get a judgment against them in court, but it could be hard to collect that money since they didn't pay the debt in the first place.

Should I release my cosigner?

There are many reasons to want to release your cosigner. On your end, it'll be one step closer to being financially independent, which is a pretty big deal. For your cosigner, it'll release them from your debt. It'll also help with their credit since they will no longer have an open account on their credit report.

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.

Can someone take their name off a cosigned car?

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!

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.

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.

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.

How do I remove a co-owner 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.

How to get ex boyfriend off car title?

Completing the Transfer
  1. Complete the form on the back of the title certificate. Fill in all the spaces as though you were selling the car. ...
  2. Be very careful. It is important to fill out the form completely and neatly. ...
  3. Take your forms to the DMV. In most cases, a transfer must be done in person at the DMV.

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.