Check official identification and interstate livestock movement documents
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- For a movement that crosses a state line, list the species, the official identification on each animal, and the document in the file, such as an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection, an owner-shipper statement, or a commuter herd agreement. Do not decide that an animal is exempt.
- What the lawyer must review
- 9 CFR 86.5(a) requires the persons responsible for animals leaving a premises for interstate movement to ensure the animals are accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other document required by that part. Cattle and bison moved interstate must be accompanied by an ICVI unless one of the exceptions in 9 CFR 86.5(c)(1) through (c)(6) applies, including a direct move to a recognized slaughtering establishment with an owner-shipper statement, a direct move to an approved livestock facility with an owner-shipper statement, a veterinary trip that returns to the farm of origin without a change in ownership, a move from one state through another and back, a commuter herd with the agreement or other agreed document, or other documentation the shipping and receiving animal health officials have agreed. 9 CFR 86.5(c)(7) states when the official identification number must be recorded, and the exception for sexually intact cattle or bison under 18 months and for steers or spayed heifers does not apply to dairy cattle of any age or to cattle or bison used for rodeo, exhibition, or recreational purposes. 9 CFR 86.4 requires the cattle and bison classes it lists to be officially identified before interstate movement unless an exception in that section applies. The lawyer reads that class list. Sheep, goats, swine, and captive cervids are directed to other parts that were not opened. The APHIS page, last modified 21 October 2026, addresses traceability for livestock moving interstate, states that traceability does not prevent disease, and states that a premises identification number or location identifier is required to buy official tags and is administered by each state. ABA Model Rules 1.1 and 5.3 and Formal Opinion 512 leave the exemption decision with the lawyer.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Potential support includes identifying points for review. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.