Providing Proof of Ownership for a Passport

The passport process can get very confusing when it comes to providing proof of ownership of your horse. Equine Canada asks that you provide a copy of one of the following before they will issue your horse a passport:

• A copy of a bill of sale
• Breed registration papers stating ownership
• A sworn and notarized affidavit of ownership

Previously, a notary was not required to produce an affidavit to EC's standards. Starting in 2010, this has changed and the affidavit must be notarized. It is therefore in your best interests, if you have purchased your horse, to make sure that you get a bill of sale in order to avoid having to go through a notary to get a passport.

Also be sure to ask the previous owner whether the horse already has a passport. One horse is not allowed to have multiple passports so you need to be given your horse's passport by the previous owner if it already has one. If you are unhappy with your horse's passported name, don't worry! For a fee, you can send the passport to EC and have the name changed to one of your liking.

Make sure that whatever you send is a copy - no original documents!