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Co-signer: what it means

A co-signer is a person who signs another person's loan or credit account to back it up, and by doing so becomes responsible for the debt. If the borrower does not pay, the creditor can collect up to the full debt from the co-signer, plus late fees or collection costs, without first trying to collect from the borrower, and the default may become part of the co-signer's credit record.

In Spanish it is

Cosignatario

Also written as: cosigner · guarantor

The full explanation

A federal FTC rule calls for the co-signer to get a written notice explaining these risks before signing. On a mortgage, according to Fannie Mae, a co-signer signs the note and shares liability for the debt with the borrower but has no ownership interest in the home on the title.

An example

Andrés's parents co-sign his car loan. If Andrés falls behind, the bank can collect from them, and the late payments can hurt their credit too.

You will see it in…

  • The Notice to Cosigner you get before signing
  • The mortgage note, which the co-signer also signs
  • The co-signer's credit record, if the debt goes into default

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

More guides that use “co-signer”

More words on this topic: Credit

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Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

What a housing counselor does See free help

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

  1. 1. CFPB · Financial terms glossary: cosigner · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  2. 2. Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) · 16 CFR § 444.3: unfair or deceptive cosigner practices (Notice to Cosigner) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  3. 3. Fannie Mae · Selling Guide B2-2-04: Guarantors, Co-Signers, or Non-Occupant Borrowers on the Subject Transaction · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026