Livestock identification is required by law, even for smallholders. The procedure to register your mark has changed in the last few months.

According to the Animal Identification Act, 2002, it is compulsory to mark all cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The mark you use on your animals must be registered with the Dept of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development (DALRRD).

Once you have completed the steps below and received your Identification Certificate, you can purchase your branding tools from an agricultural co-operative shop such as NWK, BKB, VKB, Obaro, Afgri/Hinterland, Coastal Farmers etc.

Registering your mark

First, download and complete this form.

The form can also be collected from departmental agricultural extension officers, magistrates’ offices, SAPS stock-theft units or from the Registrar: Animal Identification in Pretoria.

Once completed, you must pay a R190 registration fee to DALRRD.

Standard Bank Branch: Arcadia;

Branch Number: 010845;

Account Number: 011252871.

Or take the application form and money to the Delpen Building, on the corner of Annie Botha Avenue and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria.

After you have paid, you must post, fax or email the original deposit slip or proof of payment as well as the application form to The Registrar of Animal Identification

Post: Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001.

Email: animalid@dalrrd.gov.za

Fax: 012 319 7551 (confirm 012 319 7637)

Physical: Delpen Building, on the corner of Annie Botha Avenue and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria.

This fee is a once-off payment ~ once your mark is registered you will not have to pay again. You must sign your form ~ it will not be valid without your signature. If you are not able to personally sign, you must enclose a letter from you authorising the signatory with the application. Once your registration has been accepted by the department, your mark will be added to the official list of registered brand marks and no one else can use it.

Once issued a brandmark, you may use the same mark for both large and small livestock. If you have bought animals or been given an animal as a gift you must mark it within two weeks.

Transfer of brandmark

If you have inherited or bought a property or herd/flock of animals, you must apply to have the brandmark of the previous owner transferred to your name.

The procedure to change ownership is much the same as above, with the form to be completed available here.

Part Two of the form must be completed by you or, in the case of death, the executor of the estate. In the case of the death of the legal owner, the identification mark can be transferred to you if the executor of the estate gives permission for the mark to be transferred. When there is no executor, the new owner can provide a copy of the death certificate as well as a Letter of Authority issued by the High Court stating that the you are the legal owner of the animals.

Once completed, you must pay a R190 registration fee to DALRRD.

Standard Bank Branch: Arcadia;

Branch Number: 010845;

Account Number: 011252871.

Or take the application form and money to the Delpen Building, on the corner of Annie Botha Avenue and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria.

After you have paid, you must post, fax or email the original deposit slip or proof of payment as well as the application form to The Registrar of Animal Identification

Post: Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001.

Email: animalid@dalrrd.gov.za

Fax: 012 319 7551 (confirm 012 319 7637)

Physical: Delpen Building, on the corner of Annie Botha Avenue and Union Street, Riviera, Pretoria.

The costs and forms related to the registration of livestock identification are valid until March 2022.

The Registrar can be contacted at 012 319 7637 for queries related to livestock identification registration.

Related story: Marking or Branding Livestock: The Ins and Outs

23 thoughts on “Registering Your Livestock Identification Number

    1. Good day,

      I would like to register a brand mark for our my livestock. I am in the process of moving them from my cousin (Kuruman) and parents (Lehurutshe); we agreed in principle that the have their brand mark but once we are ready to move them.

      How do we go about it the whole process?

      1. First you follow the steps listed i the above article to have your brand registered. Once you have followed the process above to have your brand registered, here are some useful tips on where and how to brand.
        https://sasmallholder.co.za/2021/06/23/marking-or-branding-livestock-the-ins-and-outs/

        Remember to also complete a livestock removal permit when you transport them, which you can find at the following link:
        https://sasmallholder.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Blank-downloadable-Stock-Removal-Permit.pdf

        1. I applied for animal identification in March 2022 still no response one year later Called the offices no answer
          Is there anyone who can assist me I would like to follow up
          My ref is 1/3/27/3

          1. Hi, my name is LERATO DANIEL Khelemethe , I’m staying clocolan,I have pigs and chickens, please can you please help me with the company certificate or the animals citificate please help me I’m safaring

      1. Good day sir.

        I would like to know where can i check my certificate because i have already registered a while ago and got the copy of my certificate or should i reregister again. Thanks, in advance.

        Enerst Mphaka (0728903485)

        1. The Registrar will decide and issue you with the mark. You don’t get to choose your own (because it’s probably already registered). There is a long delay in the issuing of brand marks

  1. It is now 7/02/2023. Is the form on the link above still valid and is the value still R170 to be paid to DALRRD. I cannot find a more recent form on the internet but I am concerned to use the one from the link as it states it is only valid from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022.

  2. It’s that possible to gets animals brand mark form via email
    Where to downloads those forms

  3. How to get another brandmark card, if you have lost your card.
    The procedure on how to apply for a new one.
    Please advice

    kind regards.
    Mantsatsi Molebedi
    0798124612 or 053 839 4107

  4. I have paid for the BrandMark since 2021 and up to date I haven’t received anything, trying to phone in the phone is not ringing what am I supposed to as iam stuck

    1. The Registrar of Brand Marks is notoriously slow, but an outstanding application from 2021 seems excessive. Phone the National Dept of Agriculture head office in Pretoria and see if they can’t give you a name and contact number directly.

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