How to Finance a Car Without a Cosigner Showing Up on the Title

A loan contract and your state's motor vehicle paperwork are prepared separately. State motor vehicle departments don't require that a co-borrower's name appear on the vehicle's title. Your co-signer, however, may require her name on your car's title to protect her rights as the vehicle's co-owner. If you default on your loan, the co-signer may not have any rights to the vehicle if her name is not on the title. Both you and your co-signer should discuss vehicle titling and speak to your lender or dealer to submit motor vehicle paperwork in only your name.

Instructions

1

Talk to your co-signer about your title intentions. If you need a co-signer, but don't want anyone's name on the title but your own, you must have your co-signer's agreement. If you can't come to an agreement, you might lose your co-signer.

2

Apply to lender or dealer for your car loan. Fill out a credit application along with your co-signer and wait for an approval, which can take several days if using an independent lender, or might be instant if using a dealership.

3

Sign your loan contracts with your lender or dealer along with your co-signer. Tell the lending representative that you want the title in only your name. You may sign your contract with your co-signer, but you'll sign your motor vehicle title application alone.