New York Livestock Bill of Sale
New York requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page New York livestock bill of sale PDF that includes everything the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles looks for, matching the fields on MV-912. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Seller
Buyer
Livestock details
Price and terms
How to sell a livestock in New York
A livestock bill of sale records the sale of cattle, goats, sheep, hogs or other animals by species, head count, breed, class and identifying marks, plus the price. Brand inspection states require it to move cattle, and buyers need it for their ranch records and any premises registration.
Seller steps
- Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
- Agree on the price and fill in the New York livestock bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
- Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. New York does not require a notary.
- Hand over any registration papers, manuals, receipts or health records that go with the livestock.
- Hand over the livestock and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.
Buyer steps
- Check the description against the livestock itself before you sign.
- Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
- Transfer any registration papers and update the microchip or brand records in your name.
Before you sign
- List tag numbers individually for small lots, or the tag range for large ones.
- Record the brand and its location on the animal.
- Attach health certificates for interstate movement.
- In brand inspection states, get the inspection before the animals move.
Why a bill of sale matters for a livestock
- Brand inspection states will not clear cattle for movement or sale without proof of ownership.
- Needed for farm records, ag exemptions and loan collateral.
- Ear tag and brand numbers on paper prevent mix-ups at the sale barn.
- Documents health papers that traveled with the animals.
Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.
New York at a glance
- Bill of sale
- Required in common cases
- Notary
- Notarization optional
- Official state form
- MV-912
- Where the buyer registers
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.ny.gov)
- License plates
- Stay with seller
New York's MV-912 is the standard proof of ownership transfer for a private sale and the buyer must sign it, even for a gift; other acceptable proofs exist. The new owner gives the original to the DMV when registering and pays sales tax or claims an exemption. Plates stay with the seller.
Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.
Other New York forms
- New York Vehicle Bill of Sale
- New York Motorcycle Bill of Sale
- New York Boat Bill of Sale
- New York Trailer Bill of Sale
- New York Firearm Bill of Sale
- New York Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- New York RV Bill of Sale
- New York ATV / UTV Bill of Sale
- New York Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
- New York Golf Cart Bill of Sale
- New York Jet Ski Bill of Sale
- New York Snowmobile Bill of Sale
- New York Scooter / Moped Bill of Sale
- New York Equipment Bill of Sale
- New York Tractor Bill of Sale
- New York Horse Bill of Sale
- New York Dog Bill of Sale
- New York General Bill of Sale
- New York Business Bill of Sale
Livestock Bill of Sale in other states
New York livestock bill of sale questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a livestock in New York?+
New York requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. New York's MV-912 is the standard proof of ownership transfer for a private sale and the buyer must sign it, even for a gift; other acceptable proofs exist. The new owner gives the original to the DMV when registering and pays sales tax or claims an exemption. Plates stay with the seller. New York publishes MV-912 for this; the PDF from this page carries the same information and is accepted alongside it.
Does a New York livestock bill of sale need to be notarized?+
New York does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.
Does the buyer need to file a livestock bill of sale in New York?+
No. Livestock are not titled or registered with the state, so there is nothing to file. The signed bill of sale is the ownership record; each party keeps a copy.
Do I need a brand inspection to sell cattle?+
In the western brand states, yes, before the cattle change hands or leave the county. The bill of sale is what the inspector checks against.
Can one bill of sale cover a whole herd?+
Yes. State the head count and list the tags or tag range. For a large lot, attach a tag list as a separate sheet.