Livestock Bill of Sale Form
Cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs move on tags and trust. Record the head count, ear tags, brands, and price — with photos — in a form the brand inspector can work from.
Download a blank bill of sale, or build a custom one.
A livestock bill of sale records the sale of cattle, goats, sheep, or pigs: species, head count, ear tags or brands, weight, and price. Brand-inspection states expect it at inspection, and it anchors herd records on both sides of the deal.
Download a clean, fillable livestock bill of sale. Type the details in any PDF viewer, or print it and write them by hand.
Not legal advice. This template is a general-purpose starting point only. Specific DMV and state requirements vary — I understand it is my responsibility to verify local requirements before finalizing a transfer.
Where the state gets involved in a stock sale.
Crossing a state line? Most interstate movements need a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days — note its number alongside the health status and any pregnancy-check or bull soundness findings.
Count, tag, sign — in that order.
- Count the animals against the tag list before anyone signs; attach the list for bigger lots.
- In brand states — Texas, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and others — schedule the brand inspection; the inspector will want this document.
- Crossing a state line? A certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is usually required within 30 days of movement.
- Write the price as per-head or per-lot so the math is on the page.
- Note pregnancy checks, vaccination status, or bull soundness exams in the additional terms.
Not legal advice. brand and health-certificate law is state-by-state and enforced at the scale house.
Cattle-sale paperwork, answered.
Do I need a brand inspection to sell cattle?
In the western brand states — Texas, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and others — yes: cattle can't legally change ownership without a brand inspection, and the inspector will want your bill of sale as proof of the deal. East of brand country, no inspection applies and the signed bill of sale carries the sale on its own.
How do I write a bill of sale for cattle?
Record the species and breed, the head count, sex, average weight, every ear tag, RFID, or brand (attach a tag list for large lots), the price — noting whether it's per head or for the lot — the date, and both signatures. Add the certificate of veterinary inspection number if the animals will cross a state line.
Does a livestock bill of sale need to be notarized?
Generally no. The documents with formal requirements in a stock sale are the brand certificate (in inspection states) and the health certificate (CVI) for interstate movement — the bill of sale itself needs signatures from both parties, not a notary seal.