What Is a Livestock Bill of Sale?
A livestock bill of sale form is a legal contract used to record the transition of ownership over a given animal. Such documents can be applicable when buying or selling any farm animals, including sheep, cattle, hens, pigs, and others. It’s worth noting that horses and domestic animals (like cats and dogs) must be sold using a different free bill of sale form.
Since trading livestock doesn’t necessarily involve registering newly purchased animals, you don’t have to use bills of sale for executing the transactions. However, recording all sales and purchases on paper is strongly suggested since it provides you with legally valid proof of ownership over your assets. Mind that cattle bills of sale won’t be considered valid unless they include a comprehensive set of data about the deal. Depending on the regulations of your state, the document’s layout may vary, so you should consult with the local laws before signing the bill.
How to Write a Proper Livestock Bill of Sale?
Legally valid bills of sale are also referred to as state-authorized. Here’s the information that should be present on such a document:
- Information about the participants
- Details of the cattle being sold
- Signatures of all the participating sides
- Payment method and transaction date
Not sure whether your document satisfies the requirements? Consider downloading a printable bill from our website. Our library contains a template of livestock bill of sale form for every state in PDF, DOCX, and other widely applied formats. Visitors don’t have to register to access the database; it’s available for free without any limitations. We also offer a form builder for designing highly customized solutions.
Why Use Bill of Sale for Trading Livestock?
Despite their seeming simplicity, bills of sale provide multiple advantages to both a buyer and a seller. Bills of sale don’t have to be notarized to obtain legal value, which allows using them for any transaction. Just print out the document, fill in details, and make sure that both sides sign it to receive valid proof of ownership. A bill of sale can be further utilized in courts, banks, and any other institutions requiring validation of your assets.
A livestock bill of sale form allows the sides to avoid inviting independent witnesses. Hence, the whole ownership transition procedure becomes a matter of minutes, especially if all its terms were arranged beforehand. These documents are completely free to use since bills of sale don’t require notarization to obtain legal value. Finally, bills of sale allow using a wide range of payment methods, including cash, checks, e-wallets, and promissory notes. This may be useful if a buyer doesn’t have enough funds to finish the transaction immediately after signing the bill.
How to Sell Cattle with a Bill of Sale?
Selling livestock with a bill of sale involves following an array of simple steps:
- Define the value of the animal. Most farmers know the approximate price of their cattle, but it’s essential to define the accurate value of the animal listed for sale. To accomplish that, research your local market for similar offerings. Consider the cattle’s age, breed, weight, class, and health status before setting the final price. Remember that a buyer will most likely request an examination of the animal being sold.
- List the livestock for sale. When advertising the animal, you should make use of all available platforms. Consider listing it online, in themed local magazines, newspapers, and placing ads around the town. The offer itself should contain a detailed description of the animal along with its photos, your contacts, and the listing price.
- Prepare the animal for examination. Similar to any other type of property, animals must be carefully prepared for sale. Wash the animal and groom it if needed. Make sure to obtain all necessary documents, including registration papers and medical records. A seller is responsible for printing out and filling two copies of a bill of sale.
- Finalize the deal through signing a bill of sale. After completing the negotiation, the sides must meet to sign the bill and transfer the funds. You are free to choose any preferred payment method since bills of sale allow using a wide array of payment platforms. As a seller, you must provide each participating side with a copy of the bill of sale signed by all sides.