LIVESTOCK BRANDS

Starting with the time of the open range to the present, brands have been used as markings to identify livestock and have been a visual means of identification in showing ownership throughout history.  The original open-fire method was practical in the beginning, followed by the electric iron and then advancing to the freeze-branding method.  In Montana, both the hot and freeze brand methods are recognized.  Through the registration of a livestock brand, this means of identity continues to play a special part in the livestock industry and its history.

Currently, there are 50,704 registered Montana Livestock Brands maintained by the Brands Enforcement Division Brand Office.  The information on this page is meant to provide instruction on brand requirements, how to apply for a brand, how to transfer a brand, etc.  The information will be updated as often as necessary to answer your questions thoroughly and completely.

The Brand Office is working to provide most services to the public remotely.  If you have questions or require additional assistance, feel free to contact the Brands Enforcement Division at (406) 444-2045 or by email: brands@mt.gov.  If you would like to be served in the Helena Brand Office, please utilize the phone found in the Lobby of the Scott Hart building and we will assist you.

All correspondence relating to Livestock Brands, applications, brand transfers, name changes, ownership designation, etc. must be mailed to:
     MDOL Brands Enforcement
     Attn: Brand Recorder
     PO Box 202001
     Helena, MT 59620-2001

Applying for a Brand

There are several steps in applying for a brand:

• Decide what you want your livestock brand to look like. What do you want your brand to represent?
• Research the Department of Livestock Policy for Recording, Transferring, and Rerecording Brands making sure that the brand(s) you are choosing will meet all character, format, and county/state requirements.
• Complete the Application for Brand Recording.
• Please allow 6-8 weeks for your Montana Livestock Brand Application to be processed.
  * Once your application has been reviewed you will either receive the Official Brand Certificate from us showing that a Livestock Brand has been registered to you, or you will receive a letter explaining why that brand cannot be registered to you with information on how to proceed further or on how to request a refund.
• Brand Application Fees
  • Standard Brand Recording fee is: $200.00*.
  • Brand Recording Fee with Cattle Freeze Brand is: $210.00*.
    • *$100 of the application fee is nonrefundable if a brand is not registered/issued.
  • The application includes a maximum of one cattle, one horse, one sheep, and one bison brand.
  • Payment is required at time of application.
  • Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.

Incomplete Brand Application paperwork will be returned to the applicant.

Inactive Brands

Due to the high number of new brands being issued, the inactive brand list is currently unavailable.  You can view the list of current and active brands, listed by county, on our website: https://liv.mt.gov/Brands-Enforcement/Brand-Books.

Montana Livestock Brand applications are reviewed in the order they are received.  The Dept. of Livestock strives to provide the most current and complete brand information available.  Please feel free to contact the Brand Office with any questions.  We can be reached at: 406-444-2045.

Important Information Regarding Brand Ownership

• When recording a brand to a company, corporation, partnership, etc., please furnish a list of all officers and people authorized to sign bills of sale when selling livestock. Business names must be registered with the MT Secretary of State's office (www.sos.mt.gov), or proof of registration with another state must be provided.
• Per Administrative Rule of Montana 32.18.105, multiple names may recorded in the following manner only: "x and y" or "x or y". 
  • The designation "and/or" is not acceptable. 
  • A brand recorded in "x and y" designates tenants in common. 
  • A brand recorded in "x or y" designates joint tenancy.  

Designating Ownership

• Ownership by a Business
  • When recording a brand to a company, corporation, partnership, etc., please furnish a list of all officers and people authorized to sign bills of sale when selling livestock.
  • Business names must be registered with Montana Secretary of State (www.sos.mt.gov), or proof of registration with another state must be provided.
• Multiple Owners
  • When recording a brand to multiple owners, designate either tenants in common or joint tenancy on the application: 
    • If recorded as tenants in common, all recorded owners must sign each bill of sale for branded livestock;
    • If recorded in joint tenancy, any owner may sign bills of sale for branded livestock on behalf of all recorded owners. 
  • Regardless of the designation, notarized signatures of all recorded brand owners are required to transfer a brand.