Refinancing your car loan is one of the most practical ways to lower your monthly payments, reduce your interest rate, and gain more control over your finances. But one of the first questions we hear at iLending is “What documents are needed to get started?”
The short answer: not as much as you might think.
While some auto refinance companies may bury you in paperwork or require multiple trips to a branch, we make it easy. At iLending, we streamline the process, keeping it clear and straightforward from start to finish. And best of all, you don’t need a giant stack of documents to get started.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what documents are typically required to refinance a car loan, why they matter, and how iLending makes the whole process faster, easier, and more transparent.
When you refinance, you’re essentially replacing your current auto loan with a new one, often with a better interest rate or more favorable terms. Just like with any loan, the new lender needs to verify a few key details before they can approve your application.
That’s where documentation comes in.
The documents you provide allow lenders to:
Providing accurate information up front can speed up the process and help you lock in your new terms faster.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common documents requested by auto refinance companies. While requirements can vary slightly from lender to lender, these are the basics you should be prepared to gather.
This one’s straightforward: lenders need to confirm your identity. A valid U.S. driver’s license (not expired) does the trick. If your license doesn’t match your current address, be ready to explain or provide a supporting document (like a utility bill or lease).
Your income tells lenders whether you can afford the new loan terms. Depending on how you’re paid, this may include:
At iLending, we’ll guide you on what’s needed based on your employment situation. You don’t need to guess or overthink it, we make sure you only submit what’s relevant.
Pro tip: Having consistent income improves your chances of securing better terms.
Most auto refinance companies want to make sure the vehicle is insured before moving forward. You’ll typically need to provide:
Some lenders may require full coverage (especially if you owe more than the car is worth), so be sure your policy is up to date.
Your registration proves that the vehicle is legally registered in your name and up to date with your state’s DMV. Make sure the registration hasn’t expired because lenders want to see that your car is road-legal and tied to the correct owner.
If you’re still using temporary tags or haven’t transferred ownership properly, those will need to be addressed before refinancing.
You may be asked to provide specific details about your car, such as:
Most of this is already on your registration or insurance documents, but lenders want to be sure they’re financing a car that still holds value.
At iLending, we often collect this information digitally or through a quick phone conversation. No need to dig through gloveboxes or title paperwork unless asked.
This document tells the new lender exactly how much is still owed on your current auto loan, including any interest that will accrue in the next 10 days. It ensures they pay off your old loan in full when the refinance is complete.
You can usually get this payoff statement by logging into your loan portal or calling your current lender. If you’re unsure how to find it, our team at iLending can walk you through the steps.
Some lenders may want to review the original loan agreement or financing terms. This helps them verify your current interest rate, loan term, and monthly payment. It’s not always required, but it can help speed things up, especially if you’re looking to dramatically lower your payment or extend your term.
In most cases, you won’t need to have the title in hand, especially if there’s still a lien on the vehicle (which there usually is). However, lenders will want to confirm that the title is clean, meaning no undisclosed liens or ownership disputes.
At iLending, we’ll handle any title-related logistics for you, including working with your state’s DMV if needed. That’s one of the perks of working with a team that knows how to navigate every part of the process.
Don’t stress. One of the biggest advantages of working with iLending is that we guide you through the process step by step. If something’s missing, expired, or unclear, we’ll help you track it down or offer alternatives when possible.
We’ve worked with thousands of clients, many of whom were in complicated situations, so we know how to adapt and find solutions.
We know that paperwork can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve built a process that’s designed to remove the friction.
Here’s how we help make it simple:
We get it, sharing personal documents can feel sensitive. That’s why we take every step to protect your information. iLending uses encrypted systems and industry-standard privacy safeguards to make sure your data stays secure.
You can feel confident knowing you’re working with one of the most trusted names in the auto refinance space.
At the end of the day, refinancing your car loan is a smart financial step, and the documentation process shouldn’t stand in your way.
When you work with iLending, we don’t just throw you a checklist and wish you luck. We work with you personally, to make sure the entire process is smooth, supportive, and successful. That’s why we’re one of the top-rated auto refinance companies in the nation. We’ve helped thousands of people save money, reduce stress, and take control of their financial future – and we’re ready to help you do the same.
We make it easy to start the process:
You could be just days away from a lower monthly payment, a better interest rate, and a more flexible financial future.
Let’s get started today and see what a better auto loan could do for you.