How to remove a name from a mortgage

Owning a home with someone else is very common, but there may come a time you want or need to remove the other person from your mortgage, whether you’re going through a divorce or your co-borrower wants to be released.

The process might sound complicated, but refinancing can be a good way to remove a name from your mortgage. We’ll outline the steps and your other options before you begin the refinance process.¹

Key takeaways:

• Removing a name from a mortgage is possible but can take time.
• Your options are refinancing, a release of liability, or a partition action.
• Refinancing your mortgage is likely the easiest option for most homeowners.

Mortgage co-borrower basics

In most cases, the additional person on your mortgage is a co-borrower. A co-borrower is someone who applied for the mortgage with you and shares responsibility for the loan repayment.

Your lender took into account both your and any co-borrowers’ credit scores, incomes, and outstanding debts during the mortgage approval process. As a result, your lender usually can’t remove one person from the mortgage without reassessing the new, sole borrower to ensure they’re qualified to take full responsibility for the mortgage.

Options for removing a name from a mortgage

While you may be tempted to call your lender and ask for the name to be removed, the process is a little more complicated and involves submitting updated financial information.

If you need to remove a name from a mortgage, let’s look at your available options.

Refinancing

Refinancing your home loan is the most common way to remove a person from your existing mortgage. You’ll have to qualify for a new loan, either on your own or with a different co-borrower or co-signer.

There are some important questions to ask before deciding to refinance. Do you have a high enough credit score to qualify for a mortgage? Is your income sufficient to pay your mortgage on your own? What does your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio look like?

If you choose to refinance, you'll need to provide the same paperwork as when you applied for the original mortgage. Some of these documents include proof of income, credit history, and monthly debts. Your lender will consider these and other factors to decide whether they’ll allow you to remove the other person from the mortgage.

Release of liability

If you’re a homeowner going through the process of a divorce, a release of liability may be a good option. Some lenders allow one party to be released from the mortgage if the other party is approved to take on the existing loan.

Not all lenders are willing to do this. However, if your lender does allow for a release of liability, this can be an easy option. Keep in mind that this only removes a person from the mortgage, not the title of the home. You’ll still need to go through the process of removing the other party from the deed, which we’ll cover later.

Partition action

If the other party on the mortgage refuses to work with you about removing their name, you may need a partition action. This option is primarily used if a court orders the home to be sold, although it can be used in other cases. For example, a court may force the sale of an inherited property between siblings or as part of a divorce settlement.

A partition action allows the parties to be released from the mortgage and evenly splits the sale proceeds. Resolving a partition action could take a few months and might be costly. Laws surrounding partition actions typically vary from state to state, so be sure to check your state’s laws before committing to this option.

Quitclaim deeds and your loan agreement

If you decide to refinance your mortgage or your lender grants a release of liability, you’ll still need to remove the other person from the deed. While your co-borrower or co-signer will no longer be on the loan, they will still be on the deed.

To do this, you’ll need to file a quitclaim deed. Filing a quitclaim deed will transfer the home solely to you, and the other person will surrender all rights to the property.

You can work with a lawyer to get the forms, but you can also find the paperwork online. Bring the quitclaim deed to your lender, where you’ll sign it, and they’ll notarize and file it with the county clerk. Once it has been filed, you’re typically good to go.

Do I need to work with a lawyer?

While not required, consulting with a real estate attorney can be a good idea. Removing a name from a mortgage is a little complicated, so if you aren’t sure what route to take, a lawyer can give you additional information. Your lawyer can also help you file a quitclaim deed once the name is removed from the mortgage.

The bottom line: You can remove a name from your mortgage by refinancing

Removing a name from your mortgage can sound like a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. In most cases, your best option is to refinance your mortgage. Understanding your financial situation and whether you’ll be approved for a new mortgage can help guide your decision. At the end of the day, removing a name and refinancing your mortgage can help you along your homeownership journey.

If you’re ready to refinance, you can explore your options and begin the application process with Rocket Mortgage.

¹ Refinancing may increase finance charges over the life of the loan.

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