Frequently Asked Questions
What does EquiCymru passport?
We provide passports for equines bred or kept in the UK, including donkey’s, mules, asses, ponies, horses and zebra.
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When does my equine need a passport?
A foal is required to be passported by 6 months of age or the 30th November of the foaling year, whichever is sooner. But if you are selling a foal at foot it will require a passport prior to being sold. All equines must be passported by a recognised passport issuing office.
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Are there any consequences of not having a passport?
It is illegal to own an equine which does not have a valid passport within 6 months of age or by the 30th November of the year of foaling whichever is sooner. Failure to have a valid passport can result in a substantial fine of up to £5,000.
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Can I apply for a passport at any time?
If you purchase an animal and it doesn’t have a passport you can purchase a passport at any time to legally comply with legislation.
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How do I get a passport?
Download a passport application form and ask a vet to microchip your animal and complete their section of the form. The form will need to be fully completed and returned to EquiCymru along with the relevant fee (you can pay online or by card over the telephone). The office will then process the application and issue you with a passport.
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How much does it cost to get a passport?
The current cost is £25. If sending in 10 or more passports at any one time, there will be a reduced rate of £22 per passport.
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How long does a passport take to be processed?
Correctly completed applications have a turnaround of a maximum of 15 working days to be completed. We do offer a fast-track service should you need a passport urgently (at an additional £20).
Do I need to have my equine microchipped?
Yes, it is now a legal requirement for all equines to be microchipped and this should be marked on the silhouette on the passport application form with a M An animal must be microchipped before it can be passported.
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How do I find out if my equine is microchipped?
Ask your vet to scan the equine and if a number is detected you can then visit https://www.equineregister.co.uk/chipchecker to see if your equine is registered with another passport issuing office. If it is not, you can complete a passport application form with EquiCymru.
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Does a freeze mark override the need to be microchipped?
No, all equines must be microchipped. A freeze mark is an additional method of identification to deter theft.
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I have lost my equine’s passport. How can I get a new one?
Download a duplicate passport application form and complete as much information as possible on the front of the form. A vet will need to complete the back of the form. The form will need to be returned to EquiCymru along with the relevant fee (you can pay online or by card over the telephone). The office will then process the duplicate passport for you.
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My passport has been stolen. How can I get a new one?
Download a duplicate passport application form and complete as much information as possible on the front of the form. A vet will need to complete the back of the form. The form will need to be returned to EquiCymru along with the relevant fee (you can pay online or by card over the telephone). The office will then process the duplicate passport for you.
My passport has been damaged. How can I get a new one?
Download a replacement passport application form and complete all information on the front of the form. A vet will need to complete the back of the form. The form will need to be returned to EquiCymru along with the damaged passport (however badly damaged) and relevant fee (you can pay online or by card over the telephone). The office will then process the replacement passport for you including any previous vaccination pages.
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What do I need to do to transfer my equine into my ownership?
A transfer of ownership should be completed with 30 days of purchase of the animal. Failure to do this this can lead to a fine of up to £5,000.
Download the transfer of ownership form from our website and complete this fully. Send this into EquiCymru along with the passport and relevant fee (you can pay online or by card over the telephone). The transfer will be completed and the ownership details updated and the passport returned to you.
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How much does a transfer of ownership cost?
Transfers are £18 each.
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How long does a transfer take to be completed?
Correctly filled in transfers have a turnaround of a maximum of 10 working days to be completed. We do offer a fast-track service should you need a passport urgently (at an additional £20).
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If any information changes that is included within the passport can I change this?
No, any changes made to the document must come via EquiCymru as the passport issuing office for the original passport. Tampering of altering details in the passport will make it invalid and you will then be required to purchase a replacement passport.
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How do I update my address?
Download the change of address form and complete this and sent it into the office along with the passport(s) and we will then update everything for you and return the passport back to you once completed.
