Brand inspection requirements for cattle, horses, mules, and asses and Brand Recording information.
A brand inspection is required when:
- Ownership changes in any manner
- Leaving the State of Idaho
- Going to slaughter
Generally, the seller or current livestock owner is responsible for obtaining a brand inspection and paying the appropriate inspection fees.
When buying livestock, require the seller to provide a brand inspection certificate!
If the seller issues a bill of sale:
- Make sure it is valid.
- The buyer is responsible for getting and paying for a brand inspection within ten days.
- If the animal is carrying a brand not recorded by the person who issued the bill of sale, you must clear the brand before a Brand Inspector can perform an inspection.
Not obtaining a brand inspection when required by Idaho law is an infraction for the first offense and a misdemeanor for the second offense that is punishable by a fine not to exceed $300 and/or six months in jail.
Brand Book
- Brand Book Index.pdf
- Brand Book.pdf
- When ownership changes in any manner.
- When leaving the state of Idaho.
- When going to slaughter.
- For the purpose of leaving the state or going to slaughter, a brand inspection is good for 96 hours.
- All livestock must be brand inspected whether the animal is actually branded or not. An inspection establishes “Prima Facie” evidence of ownership.
- Brand inspections are not required on sheep.
- Date of the sale.
- A complete description of livestock sold.
- Name of the purchaser.
- Signature of the seller.
- Annual (or “seasonal”) brand inspections are good for 12 months. Certificates are designed to allow livestock owners to travel in/out of Idaho. Idaho has reciprocal agreements with most neighboring states, except Montana and Wyoming.
- Cost: $8.27
- Ownership and transportation certificates, also known as “Lifetime” certificates, are only issued for horses, mules, or asses.
- Remain valid as long as the animal remains within the ownership of the person to whom the certificate was issued.
- May be used for nationwide travel (including Montana), slaughter, sale, or trade.
- A certificate is non-transferable.
- Cost: $53.00
- Your recorded brand on the animal/brand card.
- Valid and current bill of sale.
- Idaho brand inspection or another state’s brand inspection.
- Purebred registration papers or possibly health papers.
- Lip tattoos or other permanent markings are not acceptable for brand recording but may be used for proof of ownership purposes.
- Call your District Brand Inspector.
- State Brand Inspector’s Office at 208-884-7070 or 800-772-8442.
- For the best service, please provide adequate notice a brand inspection is needed. There is a 24-hour minimum notice required.
- Proof of ownership. (Basically, the same information required to obtain a brand inspection.)
Public Meetings & Notices
State Brand Inspector
Cody Burlile
State Brand Inspector
700 S. Stratford Dr
Meridian, ID 83642
Jenny Ybarra
Business Operations Specialist
Brenda Sangster
Financial Technician
Email Brands
208-884-7070
800-772-8442 (Idaho only)
208-884-7097 (fax)
Public Records Notice: Our public email is intended for general inquiries and is not monitored by the State Brand Inspectors’ Public Records Custodian. We will not accept, process, or forward requests submitted via email as public records requests. To expedite a request, use the Public Records Request portal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
NOTES:
Yes, if the bill of sale is valid and current.
A valid bill of sale must include:
NOTE: A bill of sale does not replace a brand inspection, which must be done within 10 days of the sale.
NOTE: An annual or seasonal brand inspection may not be used for slaughter, sale, or trade.
Proof of ownership which can be determined in several ways:
NOTE: Confirm your proof of ownership. if unsure, ask when arranging an appointment. If you plan to use a bill of sale, confirm it is valid and current.
NOTE: If traveling within Idaho with livestock that are not yours, you must possess a written permit completed by the owner giving a description of the livestock and their signature. Written Permits are available, at no charge, from the State Brand Inspector’s office in Meridian.