If a horse has not been issued a passport by the time they reach 12 months of age, they are
no longer eligible to receive a ‘new’ passport. Instead, they will be issued a ‘replacement’
passport, which automatically signs them out of the human food chain, having exceeded the
statutory time limit for applying for an equine passport set by DEFRA. (For further
information, see the DEFRA Minimum Operating Standards)
The passport will be stamped as a ‘replacement’ and Section IX Part II (or Section II Part II
for passports issued from 1 January 2016) will be signed by a BHS representative to declare
that the horse is not intended for human consumption.
To apply for a replacement passport
- Download the replacement passport form
- Contact the BHS passport office to receive a form in the post (2nd class postage)
- Complete the form with your vet and return it to the office via post or scan via email
Please note that in order to obtain a BHS replacement passport, the application must be
submitted on the correct BHS replacement application form- applications submitted on
forms for other organisations cannot be processed.
To help prevent any delays in your application being processed or an incorrect
application being returned:
Ensure that the application is completed, signed and stamped by an accredited vet
All sections of the application are complete
The silhouette is marked in red ink with a minimum of 5 identifying features
The microchip number has been checked on the Equine Register chip checker
The application has been completed on a BHS application form, applications
completed on forms for alternative PIOs will be returned
The DOB and signature of all owners is present on the form, and all owners are over
the age of 16
Cost of application
Replacement passports cost £25.
For registered charities replacement passports cost £15.
All passports are posted via Royal Mail’s 2nd Class Signed For™ service at no additional cost.
Processing Time
In line with DEFRA’s processing timeline, the BHS will process the application within 15 days of receiving it. Please note that incorrect paperwork will cause delays.
Microchips
If the horse has an existing microchip, be sure to check the number on the Equine Register ChipChecker to confirm that the horse has not previously been issued a passport. If the microchip number produces a result, you will need to apply to the Passport Issuing Organisation that issued the original passport for a duplicate.
This is because DEFRA states that once a horse has been issued a UELN (Universal Equine Life Number/passport number) it should remain unchanged for its lifetime, and only the original issuing PIO has authority to duplicate the original passport.
(Microchips beginning in 372 are Irish and it is possible that the horse has previously been issued a passport in Ireland if they are found to have a microchip beginning in 372, in which case the UELN will need to be overstamped and a duplicate passport will need to be issued; for further information, contact the passport office).
