{"id":13118,"date":"2025-02-26T12:33:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T17:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duncanlawonline.com\/staging\/8350\/?p=13118"},"modified":"2025-04-08T21:00:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T01:00:38","slug":"impact-of-cosigning-on-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duncanlawonline.com\/staging\/8350\/impact-of-cosigning-on-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"What Impact Does Cosigning for Someone Else Have on My Credit Report?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[av_section min_height=&#8221; min_height_px=&#8217;500px&#8217; padding=&#8217;default&#8217; shadow=&#8217;no-shadow&#8217; bottom_border=&#8217;no-border-styling&#8217; id=&#8221; color=&#8217;main_color&#8217; custom_bg=&#8217;#d7d8ca&#8217; src=&#8221; attachment=&#8221; attachment_size=&#8221; attach=&#8217;scroll&#8217; position=&#8217;top left&#8217; repeat=&#8217;no-repeat&#8217; video=&#8221; video_ratio=&#8217;16:9&#8242; overlay_opacity=&#8217;0.5&#8242; overlay_color=&#8221; overlay_pattern=&#8221; overlay_custom_pattern=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-1xtsohq&#8217;]<\/p>\n<p>[av_heading heading=&#8217;What Impact Does Cosigning for Someone Else Have on My Credit Report?&#8217; tag=&#8217;h1&#8242; style=&#8221; subheading_active=&#8221; show_icon=&#8221; icon=&#8217;ue800&#8242; font=&#8217;entypo-fontello&#8217; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-title=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-title=&#8221; av-small-font-size-title=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-title=&#8221; subheading_size=&#8217;15&#8217; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; icon_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-1=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-1=&#8221; av-small-font-size-1=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-1=&#8221; color=&#8221; custom_font=&#8221; subheading_color=&#8221; seperator_color=&#8221; icon_color=&#8221; margin=&#8221; margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-margin=&#8221; av-desktop-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-margin=&#8221; av-medium-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-margin=&#8221; av-small-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-margin=&#8221; av-mini-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; headline_padding=&#8221; headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-headline_padding=&#8221; av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-headline_padding=&#8221; av-medium-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-headline_padding=&#8221; av-small-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-headline_padding=&#8221; av-mini-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-padding=&#8221; av-medium-padding=&#8221; av-small-padding=&#8221; av-mini-padding=&#8221; icon_padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-icon_padding=&#8221; av-medium-icon_padding=&#8221; av-small-icon_padding=&#8221; av-mini-icon_padding=&#8221; link=&#8221; link_dynamic=&#8221; link_target=&#8221; title_attr=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6uyqu&#8217; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;][\/av_heading]<\/p>\n<p>[\/av_section][av_heading heading=&#8217;Key Takeaways&#8217; tag=&#8217;h2&#8242; style=&#8221; subheading_active=&#8221; show_icon=&#8221; icon=&#8217;ue800&#8242; font=&#8217;entypo-fontello&#8217; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-title=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-title=&#8221; av-small-font-size-title=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-title=&#8221; subheading_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; icon_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-1=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-1=&#8221; av-small-font-size-1=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-1=&#8221; color=&#8221; custom_font=&#8221; subheading_color=&#8221; seperator_color=&#8221; icon_color=&#8221; margin=&#8221; margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-margin=&#8221; av-desktop-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-margin=&#8221; av-medium-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-margin=&#8221; av-small-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-margin=&#8221; av-mini-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; headline_padding=&#8221; headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-headline_padding=&#8221; av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-headline_padding=&#8221; av-medium-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-headline_padding=&#8221; av-small-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-headline_padding=&#8221; av-mini-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-padding=&#8221; av-medium-padding=&#8221; av-small-padding=&#8221; av-mini-padding=&#8221; icon_padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-icon_padding=&#8221; av-medium-icon_padding=&#8221; av-small-icon_padding=&#8221; av-mini-icon_padding=&#8221; link=&#8221; link_dynamic=&#8221; link_target=&#8221; title_attr=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6vu72&#8242; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;][\/av_heading]<\/p>\n<p>[av_textblock fold_type=&#8221; fold_height=&#8221; fold_more=&#8217;Read more&#8217; fold_less=&#8217;Read less&#8217; fold_text_style=&#8221; fold_btn_align=&#8221; textblock_styling_align=&#8221; textblock_styling=&#8221; textblock_styling_gap=&#8221; textblock_styling_mobile=&#8221; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; font_color=&#8221; color=&#8221; fold_overlay_color=&#8221; fold_text_color=&#8221; fold_btn_color=&#8217;theme-color&#8217; fold_btn_bg_color=&#8221; fold_btn_font_color=&#8221; size-btn-text=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-small-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; fold_timer=&#8221; z_index_fold=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6yg51&#8242; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;]<\/p>\n<table data-start=\"172\" data-end=\"738\">\n<thead data-start=\"172\" data-end=\"231\">\n<tr data-start=\"172\" data-end=\"231\">\n<th data-start=\"172\" data-end=\"200\"><strong data-start=\"174\" data-end=\"184\">Factor<\/strong><\/th>\n<th data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"231\"><strong data-start=\"202\" data-end=\"229\">Impact on Credit Report<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"291\" data-end=\"738\">\n<tr data-start=\"291\" data-end=\"373\">\n<td>Credit Score<\/td>\n<td>Can increase or decrease based on payment history.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"374\" data-end=\"462\">\n<td>Debt-to-Income Ratio<\/td>\n<td>Increases, making it harder to qualify for future loans.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"463\" data-end=\"555\">\n<td>Missed Payments<\/td>\n<td>Can damage your credit if the primary borrower fails to pay.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"556\" data-end=\"654\">\n<td>Loan Responsibility<\/td>\n<td>You\u2019re legally responsible for the debt if the borrower defaults.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"655\" data-end=\"738\">\n<td>Credit Report Duration<\/td>\n<td>The loan stays on your report for its entire term.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/av_textblock]<\/p>\n<p>[av_heading heading=&#8217;How Cosigning Affects Your Credit&#8217; tag=&#8217;h2&#8242; style=&#8221; subheading_active=&#8221; show_icon=&#8221; icon=&#8217;ue800&#8242; font=&#8217;entypo-fontello&#8217; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-title=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-title=&#8221; av-small-font-size-title=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-title=&#8221; subheading_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; icon_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-1=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-1=&#8221; av-small-font-size-1=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-1=&#8221; color=&#8221; custom_font=&#8221; subheading_color=&#8221; seperator_color=&#8221; icon_color=&#8221; margin=&#8221; margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-margin=&#8221; av-desktop-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-margin=&#8221; av-medium-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-margin=&#8221; av-small-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-margin=&#8221; av-mini-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; headline_padding=&#8221; headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-headline_padding=&#8221; av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-headline_padding=&#8221; av-medium-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-headline_padding=&#8221; av-small-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-headline_padding=&#8221; av-mini-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-padding=&#8221; av-medium-padding=&#8221; av-small-padding=&#8221; av-mini-padding=&#8221; icon_padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-icon_padding=&#8221; av-medium-icon_padding=&#8221; av-small-icon_padding=&#8221; av-mini-icon_padding=&#8221; link=&#8221; link_dynamic=&#8221; link_target=&#8221; title_attr=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6wgi9&#8242; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;][\/av_heading]<\/p>\n<p>[av_video src=&#8217;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5MFmHu7LXmg&#8217; mobile_image=&#8221; attachment=&#8221; attachment_size=&#8221; format=&#8217;16-9&#8242; width=&#8217;16&#8217; height=&#8217;9&#8242; conditional_play=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m76aqh&#8217; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242;]<\/p>\n<p>[av_textblock fold_type=&#8221; fold_height=&#8221; fold_more=&#8217;Read more&#8217; fold_less=&#8217;Read less&#8217; fold_text_style=&#8221; fold_btn_align=&#8221; textblock_styling_align=&#8221; textblock_styling=&#8221; textblock_styling_gap=&#8221; textblock_styling_mobile=&#8221; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; font_color=&#8221; color=&#8221; fold_overlay_color=&#8221; fold_text_color=&#8221; fold_btn_color=&#8217;theme-color&#8217; fold_btn_bg_color=&#8221; fold_btn_font_color=&#8221; size-btn-text=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-small-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; fold_timer=&#8221; z_index_fold=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6z7pb&#8217; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"784\" data-end=\"834\"><strong data-start=\"788\" data-end=\"832\">Your Credit Score Can Improve or Decline<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"1085\">When you cosign a loan, the lender reports it to credit bureaus under both the primary borrower\u2019s name and yours. If the borrower makes on-time payments, this can boost your credit. However, if they miss payments, your credit score will take a hit.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1132\"><strong data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1130\">Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Increases<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1133\" data-end=\"1374\">Cosigning means you take on additional debt, even if you\u2019re not making the payments. Lenders consider this when evaluating your ability to take on new credit, which can make it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards, or even a mortgage.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1418\"><strong data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1416\">Missed Payments Hurt Your Credit<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1681\">Late or missed payments appear on your credit report just as if you had taken out the loan yourself. If the borrower fails to pay, the lender will seek payment from you, and if the account becomes delinquent, it can remain on your report for up to seven years.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1683\" data-end=\"1730\"><strong data-start=\"1687\" data-end=\"1728\">You\u2019re Fully Responsible for the Loan<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1731\" data-end=\"1968\">As a cosigner, you\u2019re just as responsible for the debt as the primary borrower. If they default, the lender will demand payment from you. This can lead to collection actions, lawsuits, and even wage garnishment if the debt goes unpaid.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"2027\"><strong data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"2025\">Loan Stays on Your Credit Report Until Paid Off<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2028\" data-end=\"2264\">The cosigned loan remains on your credit report for the duration of the loan term. If the borrower refinances the loan in their name alone, the loan will be removed from your report, but otherwise, it stays until it is fully paid off.<\/p>\n<p>[\/av_textblock]<\/p>\n<p>[av_heading heading=&#8217;How to Protect Your Credit When Cosigning&#8217; tag=&#8217;h2&#8242; style=&#8221; subheading_active=&#8221; show_icon=&#8221; icon=&#8217;ue800&#8242; font=&#8217;entypo-fontello&#8217; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-title=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-title=&#8221; av-small-font-size-title=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-title=&#8221; subheading_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; icon_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-1=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-1=&#8221; av-small-font-size-1=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-1=&#8221; color=&#8221; custom_font=&#8221; subheading_color=&#8221; seperator_color=&#8221; icon_color=&#8221; margin=&#8221; margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-margin=&#8221; av-desktop-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-margin=&#8221; av-medium-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-margin=&#8221; av-small-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-margin=&#8221; av-mini-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; headline_padding=&#8221; headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-headline_padding=&#8221; av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-headline_padding=&#8221; av-medium-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-headline_padding=&#8221; av-small-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-headline_padding=&#8221; av-mini-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-padding=&#8221; av-medium-padding=&#8221; av-small-padding=&#8221; av-mini-padding=&#8221; icon_padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-icon_padding=&#8221; av-medium-icon_padding=&#8221; av-small-icon_padding=&#8221; av-mini-icon_padding=&#8221; link=&#8221; link_dynamic=&#8221; link_target=&#8221; title_attr=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6wr2s&#8217; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;][\/av_heading]<\/p>\n<p>[av_textblock fold_type=&#8221; fold_height=&#8221; fold_more=&#8217;Read more&#8217; fold_less=&#8217;Read less&#8217; fold_text_style=&#8221; fold_btn_align=&#8221; textblock_styling_align=&#8221; textblock_styling=&#8221; textblock_styling_gap=&#8221; textblock_styling_mobile=&#8221; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; font_color=&#8221; color=&#8221; fold_overlay_color=&#8221; fold_text_color=&#8221; fold_btn_color=&#8217;theme-color&#8217; fold_btn_bg_color=&#8221; fold_btn_font_color=&#8221; size-btn-text=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-small-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; fold_timer=&#8221; z_index_fold=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6znyo&#8217; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2318\" data-end=\"2730\">\n<li data-start=\"2318\" data-end=\"2418\"><strong data-start=\"2320\" data-end=\"2340\">Monitor Payments<\/strong> \u2013 Set up alerts or request access to the account to ensure timely payments.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2419\" data-end=\"2506\"><strong data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2443\">Have a Backup Plan<\/strong> \u2013 Be prepared to make payments if the borrower falls behind.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2624\"><strong data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2540\">Consider a Cosigner Release<\/strong> \u2013 Some lenders offer cosigner release options after a period of on-time payments.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2625\" data-end=\"2730\"><strong data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2645\">Know the Risks<\/strong> \u2013 Only cosign if you are financially stable enough to cover the loan if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2732\" data-end=\"2880\">Cosigning is a generous act, but it comes with serious financial risks. Always weigh the pros and cons before agreeing to cosign for someone else.<\/p>\n<p>[\/av_textblock]<\/p>\n<p>[av_heading heading=&#8217;Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)&#8217; tag=&#8217;h2&#8242; style=&#8221; subheading_active=&#8221; show_icon=&#8221; icon=&#8217;ue800&#8242; font=&#8217;entypo-fontello&#8217; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-title=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-title=&#8221; av-small-font-size-title=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-title=&#8221; subheading_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; icon_size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-1=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-1=&#8221; av-small-font-size-1=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-1=&#8221; color=&#8221; custom_font=&#8221; subheading_color=&#8221; seperator_color=&#8221; icon_color=&#8221; margin=&#8221; margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-margin=&#8221; av-desktop-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-margin=&#8221; av-medium-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-margin=&#8221; av-small-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-margin=&#8221; av-mini-margin_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; headline_padding=&#8221; headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-desktop-headline_padding=&#8221; av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-medium-headline_padding=&#8221; av-medium-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-small-headline_padding=&#8221; av-small-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; av-mini-headline_padding=&#8221; av-mini-headline_padding_sync=&#8217;true&#8217; padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-padding=&#8221; av-medium-padding=&#8221; av-small-padding=&#8221; av-mini-padding=&#8221; icon_padding=&#8217;10&#8217; av-desktop-icon_padding=&#8221; av-medium-icon_padding=&#8221; av-small-icon_padding=&#8221; av-mini-icon_padding=&#8221; link=&#8221; link_dynamic=&#8221; link_target=&#8221; title_attr=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m6x7x3&#8242; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;][\/av_heading]<\/p>\n<p>[av_textblock fold_type=&#8221; fold_height=&#8221; fold_more=&#8217;Read more&#8217; fold_less=&#8217;Read less&#8217; fold_text_style=&#8221; fold_btn_align=&#8221; textblock_styling_align=&#8221; textblock_styling=&#8221; textblock_styling_gap=&#8221; textblock_styling_mobile=&#8221; size=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size=&#8221; av-medium-font-size=&#8221; av-small-font-size=&#8221; av-mini-font-size=&#8221; font_color=&#8221; color=&#8221; fold_overlay_color=&#8221; fold_text_color=&#8221; fold_btn_color=&#8217;theme-color&#8217; fold_btn_bg_color=&#8221; fold_btn_font_color=&#8221; size-btn-text=&#8221; av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-medium-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-small-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; av-mini-font-size-btn-text=&#8221; fold_timer=&#8221; z_index_fold=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-m7m70k6i&#8217; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242; admin_preview_bg=&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"42\" data-end=\"97\"><strong data-start=\"46\" data-end=\"95\">Does cosigning a loan affect my credit score?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"331\">Yes, cosigning affects your credit score just like if you had taken out the loan yourself. If the primary borrower makes on-time payments, your score may improve. However, late or missed payments will negatively impact your credit.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"333\" data-end=\"395\"><strong data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"393\">Can cosigning a loan prevent me from getting a loan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"538\">Yes, cosigning increases your debt-to-income ratio, which can make it harder to qualify for loans, mortgages, or credit cards in the future.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"617\"><strong data-start=\"544\" data-end=\"615\">Am I responsible for the loan if the primary borrower stops paying?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"618\" data-end=\"781\">Yes, as a cosigner, you are legally responsible for repaying the loan if the borrower defaults. The lender can take legal action against you for the unpaid debt.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"848\"><strong data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"846\">How long does a cosigned loan stay on my credit report?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"1024\">A cosigned loan remains on your credit report for the entire duration of the loan term. If the borrower refinances or pays off the loan, it will be removed from your report.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1070\"><strong data-start=\"1030\" data-end=\"1068\">Can I remove myself as a cosigner?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1271\">Some lenders offer a cosigner release option, but the primary borrower usually must make a certain number of on-time payments and meet credit requirements before the lender will approve the release.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1329\"><strong data-start=\"1277\" data-end=\"1327\">What happens if the borrower misses a payment?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1487\">Missed payments appear on your credit report and can lower your credit score. It\u2019s important to monitor payments and address any late payments immediately.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1535\"><strong data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1533\">Does cosigning help build my credit?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1692\">It can, but only if the borrower makes on-time payments. Positive payment history is reported to credit bureaus, which may help improve your credit score.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1742\"><strong data-start=\"1698\" data-end=\"1740\">Can a cosigned loan go to collections?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1743\" data-end=\"1874\">Yes, if the borrower defaults and neither of you make payments, the loan can go to collections, damaging both your credit scores.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1876\" data-end=\"1942\"><strong data-start=\"1880\" data-end=\"1940\">Will lenders notify me if the borrower misses a payment?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1943\" data-end=\"2089\">Not always. Some lenders notify cosigners, but others do not. It&#8217;s a good idea to regularly check the account or set up alerts to stay informed.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2091\" data-end=\"2149\"><strong data-start=\"2095\" data-end=\"2147\">Is there a way to reduce my risk when cosigning?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2150\" data-end=\"2328\">Yes. You can ask the borrower to refinance the loan in their name once they qualify, request a cosigner release, or ensure you have a financial plan in case they miss payments.<\/p>\n<p>[\/av_textblock]<\/p>\n<p>[av_hr class=&#8217;default&#8217; height=&#8217;50&#8217; shadow=&#8217;no-shadow&#8217; position=&#8217;center&#8217; custom_border=&#8217;av-border-thin&#8217; custom_width=&#8217;50px&#8217; custom_border_color=&#8221; custom_margin_top=&#8217;30px&#8217; custom_margin_bottom=&#8217;30px&#8217; icon_select=&#8217;yes&#8217; custom_icon_color=&#8221; icon=&#8217;ue808&#8242; av_uid=&#8217;av-1t9w1ni&#8217;]<\/p>\n<p>[av_social_share title=&#8217;Share this entry&#8217; style=&#8221; buttons=&#8221; share_facebook=&#8221; share_twitter=&#8221; share_pinterest=&#8221; share_gplus=&#8221; share_reddit=&#8221; share_linkedin=&#8221; share_tumblr=&#8221; share_vk=&#8221; share_mail=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-e8jha&#8217;]<\/p>\n<p>[av_comments_list av-desktop-hide=&#8221; av-medium-hide=&#8221; av-small-hide=&#8221; av-mini-hide=&#8221; alb_description=&#8221; id=&#8221; custom_class=&#8221; template_class=&#8221; av_uid=&#8217;av-83ry6&#8242; sc_version=&#8217;1.0&#8242;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,28,7,8,9,10,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bankruptcy","category-bankruptcy-video","category-chapter-13","category-chapter-7-2","category-credit","category-duncan-law-blog","category-video"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Impact Does Cosigning for Someone Else Have on My Credit Report?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cosigning a loan can impact your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and financial future. 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