CATTLE BRANDS REGISTRATION
Livestock Laws
Cameron County is a Closed Range County as a result of election held on November 5, 1946.
Throughout Texas history, ranging constraints on domesticated animals have been a source of argument and debate, even to the point of violence in the 19th century cattle range wars. Ranchers who had been used to allowing their livestock to freely graze over wide areas were confronted by farmers or smaller ranchers fencing off their property. Over the years, laws have been developed to provide local control over these restrictions and to create a process for dealing with stray animals.
Estrays (Agriculture Code Chapter 142)
Fences; Range Restrictions (Agriculture Code Chapter 143)
Sale and Shipment of Livestock (Agriculture Code Chapter 146)
Cameron County Stock Law (PDF File)
If a person in this state sells or transfers a horse, mule, jack, jennet, ox, or head of cattle, the actual delivery of the animal must be accompanied by a written transfer to the purchaser from the vendor. The written transfer must give the marks and brands of the animal and, if more than one animal is transferred, must give the number transferred.
Marks and Brands (Agriculture Code Chapter 144)
Marks & Brands e-Form: https://camerontx.eforms.kofile.com/48061/CattleBrands/
Beginning August 31, 2021 the brand re-registration period will commence and a new Mark and Brand application, distributed by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, will be required when registering or renewing cattle brands. The effective date of this application will be from August 31, 2021 – August 31, 2031. New Applicants can simply fill out the application which will be available at our office. However if you already have a cattle brand registered, it is required to re-register this brand by February 28, 2022 regardless of the time in which you originally filed your brand. All renewals must be filed within the six month grace period extending from August 31, 2021 to February 28, 2022. If brands are not renewed within this time period, owners risk losing ownership to that specific brand.
Texas ranchers are encouraged to re-register their cattle brands in order to guard against livestock theft. Cattle branding is the best way to prevent livestock theft and provides an easy way to identify cattle through Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) brand recording and retrieval system. Currently, the database tracks more than 100,000 brands.
For more information about the cattle brand re-registration please visit www.tscrabrands.com
To fill out an application, please visit one of our County Clerk offices at:
Cameron County Admin. Bldg.
835 East Levee Street (3rd Floor)
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Phone: (956) 544-0815
Joe G. Rivera and Aurora De La Garza Building
1390 W. Expressway 83
San Benito, TX 78586
(956) 247-3510
Common questions about Texas Livestock Laws: TSCRA.org
To all persons having a Mark or Brand recorded in Cameron County
In accordance with Article 144.044 of the Agriculture Code, the County Clerk is required to maintain a record of all livestock marks and brands. All marks and brands expire on a set ten year period by the state. Current marks and brands will expire on August 30, 2021. Anyone wishing to file a Mark/Brand that is not currently taken will need to fill out an application with the County Clerk and the recording fee is $36.00 per brand/per location. A person may record marks and brands in as many counties as necessary.
Re-registration period is August 31, 2021 – February 28, 2022. A person who does not re-register their brand during this 6-month period forfeits legal rights to that brand.
If you have brand/brands registered in Cameron County or in other counties in the State of Texas, it will be necessary for you to visit the office of the County Clerk in that county to renew your registration.
The application of your registration does require your signature before the county clerk. Therefore, it will be necessary to come to the County Clerk’s Office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to file your registration.