Changing ownership of cattle or horse brands and earmarks

You must transfer a brand or earmark when its ownership changes. For example:

  • the company or trust that owns the registered brand or earmark is dissolved
  • a part owner is added or removed
  • the guardian of a minor changes to another guardian, or a guardian is added or removed.

Apply to transfer ownership

Before submitting your application form to transfer a brand or earmark, you must ensure:

  • All signatures are witnessed by one of the following
    • justice of the peace (JP)
    • solicitor
    • barrister
    • legal practitioner
    • Commissioner of the Supreme Court.
  • Witnesses include their position(s) on the form.
  • A JP provides their name and Seal number for the signature to be accepted.
  • All signatures are dated and witnesses sign on the same date as the applicant(s).
  • All current registered owners have signed the form.
  • All new owners have signed the form.
  • If an owner is deceased, the executor or administrator of their estate has signed the form and stated their capacity as executor or administrator.
  • If the owner is a company, the company secretary and director have signed, or 2 directors, or a sole director—they must also state their position(s) on the form.
  • When transferring a brand or earmark, you must provide the property identification code (PIC) where it is intended to be used (in Queensland, all properties where livestock are kept must have a PIC allocated by Biosecurity Queensland).

You must also provide any necessary documents with your transfer application form if:

  • someone holds a power of attorney—forward a copy of the power of attorney document
  • a brand is being transferred to a trust—provide a copy of the trust papers.

Step 1: Submit your application

Complete the transfer application form in full and submit it using one of these options:

Step 2: Application review

Once received, your application will be checked for completeness. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to you for correction.

Step 3: Payment request

If your application is complete, you will receive a payment request. Please note that payment is required before the processing of your application can begin.

Payment does not guarantee the approval or registration of your brand.

Applications are processed in the order we receive them and only if they have been fully completed and the correct fee has been paid.

Step 4: Approval

When the transfer has been approved, you will be issued a registration certificate.

Transferring a cattle or horse symbol brand separately

When a brand is transferred, a symbol brand that is registered with that brand will also be transferred unless the person requesting the transfer specifies differently.

If you want to transfer a symbol brand separately, you must indicate that on the transfer form.

Transferring a cattle earmark

Cattle earmarks can only be transferred in association with their registered 3-piece brand. The earmark cannot be transferred out of the original earmark district it was registered. It must be cancelled and reapplied for in the new district.

The earmark will only be registered to the applicant if it hasn't already been registered to another person in that district.

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