When you take out a loan, such as a car loan, line of credit or mortgage loan, your contract will typically state the length of the loan, as well as a maturity date that reflects when you will pay off the loan if you make all of your scheduled payments as agreed. If you have a financial windfall before your loan's maturity date, you may typically opt to pay off the loan early to save on interest charges. Your loan statement will show the remaining principal balance; however, this amount may not reflect your current payoff amount.
Request Via Telephone
Call your lender and ask for the current payoff balance. This amount will include any fees or other charges that you have not paid, such as late fees. It may also include any early payoff charges described in your contract.
Ask your lender to provide a "good through" date. This date reflects the latest date when the payoff balance is valid.
Request the payoff amount and "good through" date in writing. Your lender may provide a written statement via fax, email or regular mail.
Request Via Letter
Call your lender or visit your lender's website to obtain a payoff request form. In some cases, you may not be able to request a payoff amount via telephone -- for example, Massachusetts law prohibits telephone payoff requests for mortgage loans.
Complete the payoff request form. You will typically need to add your personal contact information and loan number, as well as the date you intend to pay off your loan.
Copy the form or letter and keep the copy for your records. Mail the completed form to the address provided by your lender.
Tips
If you cannot pay off your loan by the "good through" date, you will need to contact your lender to obtain an updated payoff amount.
Use an automated telephone system or online form to request a payoff letter if your lender provides one of these services. You will need your loan number to request a payoff online or through an automated telephone system.
You can use an online early payoff calculator to estimate the amount of your payoff; however, you will still need to contact your lender to obtain an exact payoff amount.
References
- Citimortgage: Payoff Information
- Metro Credit Union: Loan Payoff Request
- Quicken Loans. "What to Expect When Paying Off Your Mortgage." Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs. "Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation." Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is a payoff amount? Is my payoff amount the same as my current balance?" Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Arizona State Legislature. "Payoff demands; definitions." Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
Tips
- If you cannot pay off your loan by the "good through" date, you will need to contact your lender to obtain an updated payoff amount.
- Use an automated telephone system or online form to request a payoff letter if your lender provides one of these services. You will need your loan number to request a payoff online or through an automated telephone system.
- You can use an online early payoff calculator to estimate the amount of your payoff; however, you will still need to contact your lender to obtain an exact payoff amount.
Writer Bio
Owen Pearson is a freelance writer who began writing professionally in 2001, focusing on nutritional and health topics. After selling abstract art online for five years, Pearson published a nonfiction book detailing the process of building a successful online art business. Pearson obtained a bachelor's degree in art from the University of Rio Grande in 1997.