Registration Fees

Whether you already own registered stock or have chosen to breed or purchase registered stock, you likely recognize the inherent value in them, whether they are equine or other registered species.

Registration fees are determined on a sliding scale, taking into account the age of the horse at the time the application is submitted to AQHA. This approach is designed to promote early registration, with the lowest registration fees available for horses up to 7 months of age.

We highly encourage early registration for several important reasons. First, younger-horse applications tend to have fewer issues since the paperwork, horses and individuals involved are typically more accessible for any additional information. Second, by registering the horse at a young age, we have a better chance of accurately tracking them throughout their life. If horses aren’t registered, we have no record of them, and our mission is to preserve the pedigree of every American Quarter Horse.

We understand that despite good intentions, life circumstances can lead to missing the registration of one or more horses. Sometimes, you might purchase a horse believing it’s registered, only to receive the application instead of the certificate. This can lead to several generations of horses not being registered, and it’s disheartening when your best colt remains unregistered. It’s an unfortunate situation where valuable horses are left out and catching up can become unaffordable or even impossible.

Historically, the registration process for older horses has been more challenging, which is why the fees for registering older horses are higher. When contemplating whether it’s worth registering an older horse, consider that a registered American Quarter Horse typically commands a higher price at auctions compared to an unregistered one.

We are committed to preserving pedigrees, and we want your horses registered, too. We’ll do our best to assist within the established rules. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’ve missed deadlines and the higher fee is a barrier to registration, you can submit your applications with a request for fee considerations to the registrar’s office. We will review extenuating circumstances and may be able to consider a one-time fee reduction.

We’re here to help you register your American Quarter Horse. It’s our specialty! If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Member Services at 806-376-4811, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central.