More Than 100,000 Brands

New resources developed by TSCRA will help livestock owners
to keep your family's historic brand or register a new brand.

Every decade, near the end of August in the years ending in "1" (1991, 2001, 2011, 2021, etc.),
Texas' statewide brand re-registration process begins. Next month, Aug. 30, 2011, is the start
of the next big brand re-registration.

This is the first Texas brand re-registration period during which online resources are available to
help ranchers and county clerks. The new website, tscrabrands.com, provides a searchable
database for 2 types of users. The general public can search by county to see if a brand design has already been registered in the 2011 brand registration period. County clerks have access to a more detailed database at tscrabrands.com, and can help answer more in-depth questions regarding brand design availability.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) leaders, staff members and special rangers undertook the development of this online database. According to the Texas Agriculture Code, TSCRA is to receive brand registration information from the county clerks. This information on about 100,000 brand records, historically has been entered by hand into a database housed at the association headquarters. In past brand re-registration periods, this manual data entry has taken years to complete.

Systems have been established to speed the data entry process and to help build the 2011 brand database online. Special rangers have held education sessions around the state to inform county clerks of the resources and their best use.

The site also offers access to useful information about brand design, how to read a brand, where to find your county clerk, downloadable forms for the re-registration process, and much more.

County by county
"The best line of defense is to mark or brand your cattle," said Special Ranger Doug Hutchison at a May ranch gathering, echoing other special rangers who have given livestock theft prevention talks at gatherings, meetings and events around Texas and Oklahoma.

Hutchison is part of the law enforcement division of TSCRA, and is 1 of 29 commissioned peace officers who specialize in investigating agricultural theft.

A clear brand is an invaluable tool in identifying and recovering estray or stolen livestock. But, to put a brand to this use, it must be registered with the county clerk in the county where you run livestock.

It is important to note that this new site is an information source and not a site ranchers can use to register their brand records. Texas does not have a statewide brand registration process. Brands, according to the Texas Agriculture Code, must be registered in the county or counties in which ranchers run livestock. If, for example, a ranch has herds in 2 counties, the brands records must be registered in both counties.

The site is a service to the livestock producers of Texas to provide information about the livestock brand registration process and laws regarding livestock brand and marks in Texas.

Common Questions
Find this information and more at tscra.org and click on the brand hot button on the right side of the home page.

Why should I brand my livestock?
Your brand is your proof of ownership and the best way to identify your livestock.

Where do I need to register my brand?
The County Clerk's office in the county or counties you are running livestock.

How do I register my brand?
Completely fill out the "Marks and Brands" form, available at -tscra.org/brands and take it to the county clerk in the county or counties in which you run livestock.

In Texas, brands are registered by the county clerk where you run livestock. The brand must be registered by the county clerk for the brand to be considered a legal means of ownership.

In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is responsible for brand registration.

How long is my brand registration good?
Texas brand registration is good for a 10-year period. The re-registration period starts on Aug. 30, 2011, and goes through Feb. 29, 2012. At that time all existing registered brands must be re-registered.

Do I have to re-register my brand?
Yes. In Texas brands have to be re-registered every 10 years.

Brand re-registration always begins in the year ending with a 1. For example, the next brand re-registration period begins Aug. 30, 2011, and closes Feb. 29, 2012.

If you do not re-register within that period, then your brand is up for grabs by someone else. Brands must be re-registered within that period regardless of the date it was originally registered. – Section 144.04 Texas Agriculture Code

In Oklahoma brands are re-registered every 5 years with the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association. While brand re-registration dates are not specified, the Oklahoma code explains that the owners of currently registered brands will be notified about the re-registration period.

Is there a penalty for using a brand that is not registered?
Yes, this is considered a misdemeanor.

Can I brand my livestock without registering the brand?
No, it is illegal to brand an animal unless the brand has first been properly registered.

If I register a brand on Aug. 1, 2011, will I have to re-register my brand after Aug. 30, 2011?
Yes, all brands must be re-registered regardless of original registration date.

Does my brand registration automatically renew?
No.

If a brand is not re-registered by the current owner within the 6-month grace period (Aug. 30, 2011, to Feb. 29, 2012), can I register it?
Yes, after 6 months the brand is available to anyone.

How much does it cost to register or re-register my brand?
Cost may vary by county. The county clerk office may charge the same fee for brand transfers as for registering a new brand.
How can I find an old brand my ancestors used?

The county clerk's office is the only place that has archived files.

How can I find out if the brand design I want to register is already being used?
The county clerk office can give you that information.

Can I register more than 1 brand?
Yes, it is lawful for any owner to have, own and use more than 1 brand and/or mark.

Can I register more than 1 brand on a form?
No. Use 1 form for each brand you wish to register.

Can someone else have the same brand design registered that I do?
Yes, in other counties. Your brand registration is good only in the county or counties where you register it.

Do I need to register ear marks, electronic devices or tattoos?
Yes.

Can I transfer a brand to another family member?
Brands may be transferred. This requires a notarized affidavit signed by the current brand holder that relinquishes title of the brand to the transferee. Brand transfers must be sent to TSCRA.

What if the owner passes away and the heir wants to register the brand?
The heir must provide proof of will or family agreement along with death certificate.

Can a minor have a registered brand?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can sign for the child. The proper use of a brand is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

I bought a horse with a brand. How do I locate where the horse came from?
If the horse came from Texas, you will need to know in which county the owner registered the brand. The county clerk's office has the current and the archived brand registration files. There is no statewide registry in Texas.

How should county clerks handle similar brands?
If a party comes in to register a brand which the clerk feels is too similar to a brand currently registered, the clerk has the right/authority to refuse to register that brand. It's the clerk's duty to make sure duplicate brands are not registered in the same location on an animal.

How do county clerks handle a dispute over the rightful owner of a brand?
The party who has registered or used the brand the longest has ownership of the brand.

How often should count clerks submit brand registration records to TSCRA?
Brand registration information may be submitted daily or weekly, but no later than 30 days from the time registered.

The elements of a brand record
A brand record contains a description of the design or elements of your brand, where on the livestock you place your brand, and any earmarks you use to identify your livestock.

The brand location is as important as the brand itself. The same brand may be registered in the same county as long as the location on the animal is different. Shown at right, these are considered 2 distinct markings.

Brand locations:
Left or right: shoulder, side, rib, flank, hip, loin, thigh, jaw, face, tail, back, leg, or nose.
Sometimes, multiple locations may be used for 1 record.

Earmarks
Earmarks are part of the brand record, too. If you use ear marks to identify your cattle, such as the marks shown below — indicate the mark and location (right or left ear) and register this information with your brand.

Examples of Earmarks

If I register my brand design on the left hip, can someone else in the same county register the same brand design in another location?
Yes, the same brand design can be registered in the same county by different individuals as long and the location of the brand is different.