Brand Recording
FAQs
A brand is prima facie proof of ownership for livestock, normally characterized as a symbol or alpha-numeric marking, applied to the hide on an animal. It is normally applied with a hot iron, or freeze brand, registered earmark or paint brand in the case of sheep.
Yes, both hot iron and freeze brands can be used to apply a legally recorded brand in Wyoming.
While it is illegal to use an unrecorded brand on livestock, using a brand as a decorative device on other items is not prohibited.
Not necessarily. State statute requires a stock owner that allows their livestock over six months old and running at large or mingling their stock with other livestock not their own, must brand their livestock with their recorded brand. If that is not the case, the livestock do not have to be branded. However, keep in mind, it can be difficult to determine ownership of livestock that are unbranded and the owner risks losing animals that are unbranded, and where ownership cannot be determined.
By law, the Livestock Board cannot record a brand that is classified as too similar in appearance with a currently registered brand. Similarities are not limited to identical characters, but also characters that are similar enough in shape that they could be difficult to distinguish when applied to livestock. An example would be the number 5 and the letter S would be considered conflicting characters.
No, in Wyoming a brand is recorded for a specific branding location for each species of animal you have registered to brand.
The application fee for a new brand is $200.00 for the first species and $100.00 for each additional species being applied for. When a new brand is issued it will be up for renewal during the next renewal cycle with an expiration date of January 1st of the nearest odd numbered year. After this first renewal it will follow the 10 years renewal cycle.
The application fee for an abandoned brand is $400.00. Abandoned brands are sold “as is” meaning the design, species and branding location cannot be changed from the previously registered brand. Abandoned brands will also retain the previous renewal cycle, and will be up for renewal 10 years after the previous expiration date.
The renewal term is a minimum of 10 years, but may be renewed for up to 100 years in 10-year increments. The fee for the 10-year renewal is $400.00 with a scale fee for each additional decade you choose to renew the registration. Your brand ID card will have the date of your next renewal.
Abandoned brands are purchased “as is.” This means we cannot alter the design, species or branding location. Our recommendation would be to find an abandoned brand that includes all the species that want to brand with a branding location that is suitable to your needs. Once a brand is owned, the brand owner can submit an add species application, but there is no guarantee that it would be approved should the design conflict with currently registered brands for the added species.
You may apply to change the branding location on cattle only, and it can only be moved to an adjacent location. The design would be researched to ensure it does not conflict with a current brand in the branding location being applied for. Please see attached application for instructions.
Change of Branding Location Application
No, you can only pay your renewal fees during your brand’s renewal period. Renewal notices are mailed to the address listed on the registration for the brand and you can renew using your choice of payment at that time.
Under the brand recording tab on the Wyoming Livestock Board web page, you will find a link to update your address. You can also call, or come into the Cheyenne office to update your address. You must be the registered owner or authorized representative on the brand to make any changes to a brands registration.
The use of “and” or “or” does not affect the way a brand is recorded. The Wyoming Livestock Board will require signatures of all registered brand owners to make any changes in ownership regardless of whether “and” or “or” are indicated on the recording. However, when livestock is sold at an auction or sale barn, any checks issued will be made out to the owner as it appears on the brand card. Depending on your bank this may determine whether one person on the brand can cash the check or if it would require the endorsement of all registered owners. We recommend calling your bank to see what they will require according to how your brand is registered.
A notarized Bill of Sale/Transfer form will be required along with a transfer fee of $137.50 for each brand. Instructions can be found on the back of the transfer form. Every transfer may have additional documentation requirements based on how the brand is registered, who is authorized to sign and how the brand will be re-recorded. Please reach out the brand recording unit for exact requirements for your circumstance. 307-777-7515
Bill of Sale / Transfer
In addition to a Bill of Sale/Transfer form and fee, transferring your brand to a company or corporation would require the companies operating agreement and articles of organization. To transfer a brand into a trust we will require the certificate of trust.
Adding or removing an individual from a brand is considered a change of ownership and will require a Bill of Sale/Transfer form, along with the fee of $137.50. Instructions can be found on the back of the transfer form. For additional assistance, you can reach out to the brand recording unit to get instructions for your circumstance. 307-777-7515
Bill of Sale / Transfer
The 2023 brand book is available on our website to look up your brand. You can also call the office at 307-777-7515 to look up your brand information for you.
Wyoming Brand Book
Yes, a replacement ID card is available for purchase for a fee of $1.50 per card. The fee can be paid online at https://webfeepay.com or you can call the brand recording unit 307-777-7515 or email them at brands@wyo.gov to start this process.
No, there is no charge for a brand records request. Please see attached document.
Brand Recording Fees
No, our procedure requires that the application and fee must be submitted before we begin research on any image.
If at any point you would like to terminate the application process you may request a refund of 75% of the application fees paid. You can also apply 100% of the fees toward the fee of an abandoned brand. However, we would encourage you to keep in mind that once you have paid your application fee you can continue submitting new designs until we are able to issue a brand design does not conflict in a location that works for your needs.
We recommend applying for an abandoned brand. The research process is less extensive and the process can take just a few days instead of weeks.
New brand applications are reviewed on a first come first serve basis. The volume of brands currently being researched can affect the process time. Generally, the process takes approximately 6-12 weeks.
We respond by mail with our findings. You will receive one of two letters. The first would be an offer letter of any available locations for your brand design. You can choose one of the available locations or can continue research on a different image. The second letter would be a disallow letter. If your design is in conflict where there are no locations available, you would receive a letter notifying you of our findings. At that time, you can respond with additional images to be researched or request a refund.
Yes, you can apply for a seasonal brand. Seasonal brands allow a producer to use a brand that is validly registered in another state on their cattle in Wyoming. Seasonal brands require approval from the district supervisor in the area your cattle will be grazing. The fee for a seasonal brand is $200 and permission will be limited to not more than 180 days with all seasonal brands expiring at the end of the Calendar year. To apply for a seasonal brand, contact the Cheyenne Brand Unit at (307)777-7515 for an application.