Can you say when getting a used car at a used car business: My friend from China has

[B45]

Can you say when getting a used car at a used car business:

My friend from China has no SSN so I'm thinking about co-signing with/for her.

Are both okay?

 

[tedmc]

When both of you are signing, you cannot say you co-sign for your friend. You co-sign with your friend.

not a teacher

 

[MikeNewYork]

You are actually co-signing for a loan. It is a loan to her, but you will be agreeing to pay it back if she doesn't.

 

[B45]

So, is co-signing with her wrong?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would not phrase it like that.

 

[tedmc]

I would not phrase it like that.

How would you phrase it?
It is not just the signing of course and it is not quite legal. It is the undertaking of the responsibility jointly should there be a default, like acting like a guarantor.

not a teacher

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would phrase it "I cosigned for her car loan." What do you mean it is "not quite legal"?

 

[B45]

Can you say:

Can I have someone cosign with me?

VS

Can I have someone cosign for me?

 

[tedmc]

I would phrase it "I cosigned for her car loan." What do you mean it is "not quite legal"?

It is like borrowing somebody's name to get a loan, no?

 

[MikeNewYork]

If it weren't legal, it wouldn't be done.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, you are acting as her "guarantor".

Batman45, just a hint. Instead of making your title the entire first line and a bit of your post, try to only include the words/phrases you are querying. Your title didn't need "Can you say when getting a used car at a used car business" at all. Simply call it "Cosigning with/for her" or something similar.

 

[Tarheel]

It's legal but risky.
:-|

 

[MikeNewYork]

I agree. One should not make a habit of cosigning for loans.