===== PAGE 1 ===== ## INSTRUCTIONS: APPLICATION FOR BRAND RECORDING # Checklist and instructions for completing a Montana Dept of Livestock Brand application. Please return this checklist with your application. All fields on the Application for Brand Recording are required unless specified otherwise. An incomplete application will be returned to the applicant, including this checklist.

By submitting this Application for Brand Recording, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the instructions and information provided in this document.
	Owner • Separate owner name(s) with a comma. Do not use “and”, “or”, “and/or”. • Business name(s) must be registered with Montana Secretary of State. • When recording a brand to a company, corporation, partnership, etc., at least one bill of sale signer must be printed on the bill of sale signer line
	Type of Ownership – Select only one • Sole Owner: the applicant is applying for the brand as a single or sole owner or one entity (if a ranch/business/company is the only owner listed) • When recording a brand to multiple owners, designate either tenants in common or joint tenancy on the application. • Joint Tenancy: a brand recorded in “x or y” designates joint tenancy. ○ If recorded in joint tenancy, any owner may sign bills of sale for branded livestock on behalf of all recorded owners. ○ When transferring a brand with a deceased owner, if joint tenancy is marked, in place of the notarized signature, a copy of the death certificate is required • Tenants in Common: a brand recorded in “x and y” designates tenants in common. ○ If recorded as tenants in common, all recorded owners must sign bill of sale for branded livestock, unless each individual is listed (please print) as a bill of sale signer on the bill of sale signer line ○ When transferring a brand, if tenants in common is marked, in place of the notarized signature, if there is not a personal representative, all surviving heirs must complete an additional form
	Physical MT Address • Primary physical address or location of livestock that will bear this brand • Include city and county • Applicant must have a physical Montana address to apply for a MT livestock brand.
	Mailing Address • Address where you receive your mail. • This could be your Physical MT Address or a PO Box. • Address, City, State and Zip code is required.
	Phone number • Provide both a home phone and a cell phone. • If you have only one phone number, specify if it is a home phone or a cell phone. • Phone number is optional, however providing a phone number helps the Dept of Livestock in notifying you if there is an issue or concern with your livestock brand or your livestock.
	Email • Email is optional; however, we are moving to a less paper and more electronic communication process and an email address will help us to better communicate with the brand applicant.
	Bill of Sale Signer(s) • Required if Owner is a business. • Bill of Sale signer(s) are those individuals authorized to sell livestock.
	Additional Montana county(ies) of range • Not required. • List county(ies) other than the county associated with your Physical MT Address. • Only list county(ies) where you have livestock, do not list counties where you may have livestock in the future
	Identifying Marks • Not required. • Ear notches, waddles, etc.
	Species • Check the box which the brand will be applied to. • The application includes a maximum of one cattle, one horse, one sheep, and one bison brand.

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INSTRUCTIONS: APPLICATION FOR BRAND RECORDING continued...

	Sheep and Bison\n• If applying for sheep or bison, list the preferred brand location for each species.\n• If more than one location is acceptable, list them in preferential order.\n• For Sheep, include your Paint Color choice.
	Brand Choices – See page 2 of application\n• Carefully draw one brand image in each box. List choices IN PREFERENTIAL ORDER.\n• The first available brand choice listed on this application will be issued to the applicant.\n• Indicate the position on cattle, horses, or both for each image.\n• Per 81-3-103, MCA, new brands must be distinguishable with reasonable certainty from all other marks and brands.
	Optional\n• If you prefer to have MT Dept of Livestock select and assign a brand to you, using the criteria listed below, please select the box below and follow the instructions.\n• Only one character in each box. A bar, slash or quarter circle cannot be drawn in the boxes\n• Finish the process by printing, signing, dating, and returning the form with your payment.\n• By selecting the box, you are stating that you will accept any brand with the two characters (with a bar, slash or quarter circle added) you designate on the position you choose.\n• Selecting this option, if a brand is assigned to you, that brand cannot be refused.
	Freeze Brands\n• If you want to add a freeze brand for cattle, select YES and an additional fee of 10.00 is required.n• Freeze brand is already included with ahorse brand. < /td > < /tr > < tr > < td style = 'text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;' > < /td > < td style = 'text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;' > Application Feen• Selectn○ Standard Brand Recording Fee of200.00\n○ Brand Recording Fee with Cattle Freeze Brand is 210.00n• Fees are subject to changen•100 of the application fee is nonrefundable.
	Applicant's signature and date\n• Application must be signed and dated.\n• If you are applying for a brand for another person, you may sign the application
	Do you own livestock in Montana\n• Select Yes or No\n• Livestock owners are required to pay a Per Capita Fee\n• Do NOT include per capita payment with your application. Per capita payments are made to the Department of Revenue on a separate form.\n• Visit the webpage for additional information: https://liv.mt.gov/Centralized-Services/Per-Capita-Fees
	Make check payable to: MT Dept of Livestock\n• Payment is required at time of application.
	Mail Application & Payment to:\nMT Dept of Livestock\nAttn: Brand Recorder\nPO Box 202001\nHelena, MT 59620-2001
	Applications cannot be processed in person and may not be submitted electronically. Applications are processed in the order they are received.
For additional information on applying for a Montana Livestock Brand, visit the Dept of Livestock webpage: https://liv.mt.gov/Brands-Enforcement/Livestock-Brands
For additional information about Per Capita Fees, visit the Dept of Livestock webpage: https://liv.mt.gov/Centralized-Services/Per-Capita-Fees
For Dept of Livestock use only:\nApplication complete – yes or no: __________________________________________________________________\nIf incomplete, date application is being returned to applicant: __________________________________________________________________\nBrand Record: Initials and date: __________________________________________________________________

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DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK				OFFICE USE ONLY
DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK		BRANDS ENFORCEMENT DIVISION		CC/CHECK/MO____________________
		APPLICATION FOR BRAND RECORDING		AMOUNT REC'D____________________
		Page 1		TRANSMITTAL #____________________
All fields are required unless specified otherwise. Print legibly and clearly.
Owner:		Separate owner names with a comma. Do not use “and”, “or”, “and/or”.		Business names must be registered with Montana Secretary of State.
Type of Ownership:	☐ Sole Owner	☐ Joint Tenancy		☐ Tenants in Common
(Select only one)	See Instructions: Application for Brand Recording for information about ownership types & authorized bill of sale signers.
Physical MT Address:		Primary physical address or location of livestock that will bear this brand		City	County
Mailing Address:		Mailing Address		City	State
Phone #:		Home Phone number	Phone #:		Zip Code
Email:		Email is optional; however, we are moving to a less paper / more electronic communication process / an email address will help us to better communicate with the brand applicant.
Bill of Sale Signer(s):
Additional Montana county(ies) of range:			Required if Owner (above) is a business.
(Not required)
Identifying Marks:			(i.e. ear notches, waddles, etc.) (Not required)
Species:	☐ Cattle	☐ Horse	☐ Sheep	☐ Bison
Sheep and Bison:	If applying for sheep or bison, list the preferred brand location for each species. If more than one location is acceptable, list them in preferential order.
	• Preferred position(s) for sheep: ______________________ Paint Color for sheep: ______________________
	• Preferred position(s) for bison: ______________________
Brand Choices:	See page 2
Freeze Brands:	Add cattle freeze brand? Additional 10.00 fee required.		☐ YES	☐ NO
Application Fee:	☐ Standard Brand Recording Fee: 200.00*		Brand Recording Fee with Cattle Freeze Brand: 210.00*
	* 100 of the application fee is nonrefundable. Fees are subject to change.
Applicant's signature:				Date:
Do you own livestock in Montana?	☐ YES	☐ NO	If so, you are required to pay a PER CAPITA FEE. Visit www.liv.mt.gov for more information
Make Check Payable to:		MT Dept of Livestock		APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE PROCESSED IN-PERSON AND MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.
Mail Application & Payment to:		MT Dept. of Livestock		APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE PROCESSED IN-PERSON AND MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.
		ATTN: Brand Recorder		PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR PROCESSING.
		PO Box 202001		Application approved by: ______________________________________
For More information:		(406) 444-2045 or www.liv.mt.gov.		BE-3 (Updated 10-2024)

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Brand Choices: Carefully draw one brand image in each box. List choices IN PREFERENTIAL ORDER. The first available brand choice listed on this application will be issued to the applicant. Indicate the position on cattle, horses, or both for each image. Per 81-3-103, MCA, new brands must be distinguishable with reasonable certainty from all other marks and brands.
1)	2)	3)	4)
Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________
5)	6)	7)	8)
Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________
9)	10)	11)	12)
Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________	Cattle:_________ Horse:________
If you prefer to have MT Dept of Livestock select and assign a brand to you, using the criteria listed below, please select the box below and follow the instructions. Finish the process by printing, signing, dating, and returning the form with your payment.
☐ If none of the above brand choices are available, I will accept ANY BRAND with the following two (2) characters on the position listed. Enter one character in each box, no not use a bar, slash or quarter circle. NOTE: There will be a Bar, Slash or Quarter Circle added to your chosen characters to complete your Brand.
Character	Character	Circle any position you will accept: Position on cattle: LS RS LR RR LH RH Position on horses: LS RS LT RT LJ RJ
Applicant's printed name:__________________
Applicant's signature:__________________ Date:__________________