MDGA Registrations
How To Transfer Ownership
Transfering Ownership of Your Goat
If the goat is already registered with MDGA, complete the sold/transfer information at the bottom of the certificate and mail your certificate to MDGA. Be sure to include the date of sale and the new owner’s address. Send the completed certificate to MDGA’s mailing address and use our Intent To Transfer form to pay your fee and alert MDGA that your transfer is on the way.
Transfers are required anytime a goat changes ownership, whether the goat is already registered or if the goat is being submitted for registration for the first time. If the current owner of the goat is not the breeder, then a transfer has occurred, and a transfer fee is required. Make copies of all documents for your records prior to mailing.
Reminder for Members Buying and Selling MDGA Registered Goats
For Sellers:
When selling a registered goat, please complete the transfer section at the bottom of the registration certificate. At a minimum, it must include the buyers name and be signed and dated by you, the seller. This signed section serves as the bill of sale needed to process the ownership transfer. If you are selling a goat that has not yet been transferred into your name, you must also include a separate bill of sale between you and your buyer. In addition, the registration certificate should be completed to reflect the sale information from the previous owner to you. This documentation establishes a clear chain of ownership and allows MDGA to accurately record the transfer.
For Buyers:
When purchasing a goat that is already registered with MDGA, please review the registration certificate before completing the purchase. Verify that your name has been entered in the buyers section and that the certificate has been signed and dated by the seller. This will help ensure the ownership transfer can be processed without delay. If the current owner listed on the registration certificate does not match the person you are purchasing the goat from, the transfer section at the bottom of the certificate should first show their name as the buyer and be signed and dated by the current recorded owner. The seller should also provide you with a separate bill of sale documenting the sale from them to you. This creates the necessary chain of ownership so MDGA can accurately transfer the registration into your name.
When Submitting Transfer Paperwork:
Please ensure the buyer’s name, mailing address, email address, and phone number are included and clearly legible on the registration certificate or accompanying bill of sale. Complete and readable information allows us to contact the new owner if needed and helps prevent delays in processing the ownership transfer. These small steps make a big difference in helping us transfer your goats into your name as quickly and accurately as possible. We appreciate your cooperation and thank you for helping us maintain accurate registration records.
Transfer Your Goat From Another Registry
For a successful MDGA registration of a miniature dairy goat previously registered with another registry, the animal must conform to the rules for registering goats in MDGA and will be placed in the herdbook with which its pedigree conforms. Follow these guidelines to register your animals:
- Fill out the MDGA registration application completely.
- When submitting the application, enclose the required photographs.
- When submitting the application, include a legible copy of the certificate from any registry where the goat has already been registered.
- Include a six-generation pedigree for the non-MDGA animal for which the registration application is being made. Be sure to include the full name and registration number of each animal on the pedigree.
- Registration Age fees Do Not apply to goats already registered with another registry
- Remember that MDGA does NOT register bucks NOA or if they are from non-registered or crossbred does.
- MDGA WILL NOT register grade or NOA Nigerian Dwarves, or offspring of an unregistered or registered Grade Nigerian Dwarf
MDGA welcomes applications for registration of miniature dairy goats that are already registered with other registries. However, the person submitting the application should be aware that MDGA requirements for registration in the main herdbook or grade herdbook may differ from other organizations’ requirements. This could mean that a goat classified at a level such as “American” or “Purebred” with another organization may only be acceptable as “Experimental” based on the animal’s pedigree. This also means that some applications for registration may be turned down.
When an animal, which has already been registered, is to be transferred, the transfer portion located on the bottom of the Certificate of Registry must be completed.
Be sure that every blank is filled in and the seller has signed it. The entire Certificate of Registry must be sent to the MDGA office for recording, along with the correct fee. A new Certificate of Registry will be issued.
NOTE: If a goat is sold multiple times there is a fee for each time sold if the animal has not been officially transferred for each person sold to already.
*Based on APHIS rules, MDGA is required to have animals documented for each farm an animal has lived to the best of our ability.
*See APHIS rules quoted below.
“Registration/official tagging records to include to whom animals are purchased and sold to are required to be maintained for 5 years.
(d) Each person who buys or sells, for his or her own account or as the agent of the buyer or seller, transports, receives for transportation, offers for sale or transportation, or otherwise handles sheep or goats in interstate commerce must ensure that the animals are identified as required in this part and must keep records relating to the transfer of ownership, shipment, or handling of the sheep or goats, such as yarding receipts, sale tickets, invoices, and waybills.
Remember that MDGA does NOT register either male or female offspring of un-registered or registered NOA.
Transfer FAQs
Can I transfer my goat online, if my goat is already registered with MDGA?
No, MDGA must receive the original certificate to transfer ownership.
When are transfers needed?
Transfers are only needed when the goat is changing ownership. If you are registering a goat that was born on your property and plan to retain that kid, a transfer is not needed.
I bought a goat that was never transferred into the previous owner’s name, what do I do?
Be sure a bill of sale is completed for all sales and send along with the original certificate and send the appropriate fee(s).
Can I transfer ownership during the initial registration?
Yes, just complete the “transfer” section on either the paper or online registration form.
Do I have to pay a transfer fee if I am registering the goat for the first time?
If you are transferring ownership of the goat, then a transfer fee must be paid even if you are registering the goat for the first time.
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