General Information

According to the Agriculture Code, Section 144.041 - 144.044, a livestock owner is required to have distinct earmarks and brands, which shall be recorded with the County Clerk in which the livestock are located. It also states that not later than six months after August 30, 1981 and every 10th year thereafter, each live stock owner shall record his marks and brands with the Clerk, regardless of whether they were previously recorded.

The Kaufman County Clerk's Office has the records for all the brands every recorded in the office. A card of the each new registered mark and brand is also sent to the Texas State Cattle Association.

Procedures to Purchase a Cattle Brand

It is preferred (at this time) for livestock owners to register their mark or brand in person, at the courthouse, in the County Clerk's office. Because the forms that are needed are presently carbon copied - with one form residing in the Clerk's office and the duplicate going to either the Customer or Cattlemen's Association.

In Person:

1. Livestock owner needs to research current Mark and Brand book to verify that the brand they have chosen is distinct and not presently owned by another.
2. Upon verification, Clerk will assist in completing "Marks and Brand Application" and "Certificate of Registration of Marks & Brands".
3. Livestock owner will draw brand and sign the Application and also draw the brand on the Certificate.
4. Clerk will copy the information into the current Marks and Brands book.
5. Owner will be required to draw the brand in several locations throughout the book.
6. Pay appropriate fee.
7. Completed "Certificate of Registration" will be processed and returned to the owner immediately.

Applicable Fees

Cattle Brand fees are $16.00 per mark per location with an additional fee of $5.00 for each additional location on that animal. I.e.: Left hip of Cattle is $16.00, adding a location on the left shoulder would be $5.00 additional, for a total of $21.

Forms: None