How to Transfer Ownership of American Paint Horses

When buying an American Paint Horse, be certain the person selling the animal is listed on the horse's original registration certificate as the last owner of record. If not, it is recommended that APHA be contacted for information on the record owner. APHA can provide you with who is shown on its records as the owner of any animal registered with the APHA as well as provide you with their address. APHA can also advise if any authorized agents are on file.

Be certain the photograph on the certificate matches the horse being purchased. If the markings do not match, PROCEED WITH CAUTION and contact APHA.

It is the buyer's responsibility to submit the original certificate of registration and a properly completed and signed transfer report. On a transfer form, the Association shall recognize the signature of any one of the joint owners of an animal if such owner is named on the horse's current registration certificate. Additionally, the association shall recognize the signature of any partner when a partnership is the recorded owner. When the written authorization (on a form furnished by the APHA upon request) has been filed in the APHA office, the Association will accept the signature of such authorized individual(s) as sufficient to complete the recording of the transfer. If such recognition is not to be permitted, if multiple signatures are to be required, or is to be limited otherwise, the joint owners or partnership shall file in the APHA office a written agreement to that effect signed by all parties before a notary public.

The transfer form, original certificate and transfer fee(s) should be submitted as soon as possible to the APHA office. If you need your transfer processed immediately, a rush service is available. Please contact the Rush Team at extension 780 for specific information and rush fees.

The buyer as listed on the transfer form must have a current membership in the same exact name or a nonmember fee will be charged. Memberships in individual names will not suffice for joint or partnership owners. For example: a membership in the individual name of John Smith will not be sufficient for a partnership ownership of John Smith and James Jones (considered one entity). A membership will be issued in the ownership listed on the transfer. Annual membership is $35 and expires in a year. If a transfer is sent late in the year, keep in mind that a current membership is needed for the year in which the work is received in the APHA office. Multiple year memberships are available. A three-year membership is available for $75; a five-year membership is $125.

Certificates are mailed to the address listed for the buyer on the transfer form. If the certificate is to be mailed to any other address, the new buyer should send a signed statement with the paperwork giving permission for APHA to mail the certificate to another location, stating the person to whom it is to be mailed and the address.

If the original certificate has been lost or destroyed, an affidavit for a duplicate certificate must be signed by the owner as shown in APHA records. Affidavits may be requested from APHA. Such affidavit must be signed in view of a notary and should list the circumstances surrounding the loss or destruction of the original certificate. Two good, clear side-view photographs should accompany the affidavit along with the $20 duplicate certificate fee (Nonmembers: $65).

APHA will not process a transfer if it is known that owners existed between the present owner and the owner of record according to APHA files. It may be necessary, therefore, for the new buyer to bring the ownership history up to date by providing APHA with transfers to and from all involved parties. Transfer fees are required for each transfer submitted. To avoid potential problems, it is recommended that incomplete or "open" transfers NOT BE SIGNED.

Alterations on transfer reports are not acceptable. Any erasure or alteration of the transfer form may necessitate verification and/or a new transfer, properly completed and signed.

To request a form not available as a PDF file, contact us at the address below.