An APHA registration certificate officially secures your horse’s pedigree, unique identity, and eligibility for showing or breeding. Navigating the registration process online or by mail requires just a few key steps and documentation.
How to Apply for Your Papers
Most breeders complete the registration process digitally via PHcentral.com, which is faster and more cost-effective. However, to register online, your foal must have at least one APHA-registered parent and a stallion breeding report already on file.
If your foal does not meet these criteria or you prefer paper forms, you can mail your application and physical photos directly to the APHA headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.
Step-by-Step Registration Checklist
1. Gather Foal Data & Brainstorm Names
Parents: Collect the registered names and numbers of both sire and dam (APHA, AQHA, or Jockey Club).
Choosing a Name: Provide at least two unique name choices. APHA rejects names that sound identical to existing ones, so use creative spellings.
Basic Details: Record date/location of birth, sex, coat color, pattern and eye color.
Signatures (Mail Only): Required from the stallion owner (at time of breeding) and mare owner (at time of foaling).
Transfer of Foal: If you bought the foal in utero, complete the transfer section and have the seller sign.
2. Snap the Four Mandatory Photos
Submit four clear photos showing the entire horse from distinct perspectives:
Left side
Right side
Directly from the front
Directly from the rear
Note: Include close-up photos for blue eyes or minimal white markings.
3. Attach Additional Documents
Outcrosses: For Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred parents, include a front-and-back copy of their registration papers.
DNA Results: Include copies of any existing DNA tests from an APHA-approved lab.
Ranking as the world’s second-largest equine registry, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) serves as the official governing body for the Paint Horse breed. Celebrated worldwide for their eye-catching coat patterns and versatile athleticism, Paint Horses remain one of the most popular breeds. APHA’s international network is as dynamic as the horses themselves, with members and horses successfully competing across nearly every equestrian discipline.
4. Submit a DNA Sample (Parentage Verification)
All horses registered with APHA require mandatory DNA parentage verification.
The test is automatically ordered during application (and for the dam, if her DNA is not on file).
Print the DNA form sent via email, attach a pulled hair sample (with roots intact) from the mane or tail and mail it to the lab.
5. Registration Fees and Timeline
The costs are tiered based on your foal’s age:
Early birds (first 90 days or by June 30):
Online: $39
By mail: $59
Summer timeframe (July 1 to September 30):
Online: $49
By mail: $69
Fall and Winter (October 1 to December 31):
Online: $69
By mail: $89
Yearlings and older horses:
Online: $139
By mail: $159
Important exception: If your foal does not have at least one APHA-registered parent (for instance, a pure Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred cross that qualifies via crop-out markings), you cannot use the online portal. These registrations always have to be submitted by mail and the fee starts directly at $139.
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