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Tattoo Guidelines
ABGA identifies animals by their left and right ear tattoos These tattoos must follow ABGA rules and guidelines.
Tattoo Uniqueness
No animal may be registered with the same right+left ear combination within a 22-year period.
Completing the registration application
Report the tattoo exactly as it appears on the animal. Do not list un-applied marks.
If there was a tattooing mistake, list what is actually on the animal; you may need to add letters/numbers so the tattoo is unique.
If a tattoo must be corrected (re-tattoo)
Animals that list a sequence already assigned in the registry must be re-tattooed in the right ear with your assigned prefix; the certificate will reflect the re-tattoo.
Send the certificate back noting all characters as they appear; ABGA will issue a revised certificate per Rule 712.
Rule 712 specifies that a corrected certificate can reflect a re-tattoo.
Transfers & sales: verify tattoos before selling
Before offering a registered animal for sale or applying for transfer, the seller must verify the animal carries legible permanent identification marks corresponding to its certificate.
Show requirements
All goats must have legible tattoos consistent with the registration certificate or the animal will be disqualified; point-eligible goats’ tattoos must be read and recorded.
Microchip or freeze brand is accepted by ABGA in addition to, or in lieu of, tattoos for shows; owner supplies the scanner.
Who must be tattooed and when
All goats must be tattooed at the time of application for registration. Include tattoo info on the application. External IDs (tags, etc.) are not permanent ID for registration.
What counts as permanent identification
Permanent identification for registration = tattoos.
Microchips are accepted as official ID in addition to or in lieu of tattoos; owner must provide a scanner.
Freeze branding is accepted and considered a method of tattoo. Brand the assigned herd prefix in the right ear; it’s recommended to mark the left ear with year letter + serial.
Right ear = Herd Prefix (your tattoo sequence)
Each applicant is assigned a unique tattoo sequence (exclusive-use policy). Use only your assigned sequence.
Place the applicant’s tattoo (herd prefix) in the right ear of every animal you submit for registration.
If a pregnant doe is sold, the offspring must carry the herd prefix of the doe’s owner at kidding in the right ear.
Left ear = Year letter + serial number
Recommended format for the left ear: the year letter of birth + a serial number showing order of birth. A year-letter table (letters I, O, Q, U not used) is provided in Rule 215.
Year | Letter |
|---|---|
2026 | S |
2025 | R |
2024 | P |
2023 | N |
2022 | M |
2021 | L |
2020 | K |
2019 | J |
2018 | H |
2017 | G |
2016 | F |
2015 | E |
2014 | D |
2013 | C |
2012 | B |
2011 | A |
2010 | Z |
2009 | Y |
2008 | X |
2007 | W |
2006 | V |
2005 | T |
2004 | S |
2003 | R |
2002 | P |
2001 | N |
2000 | M |
1999 | L |
1998 | K |
1997 | J |
1996 | H |
1995 | G |
1994 | F |
1993 | E |
Quick reference
Right ear: your herd prefix (tattoo or freeze brand).
Left ear (recommended): year letter + serial. (see table/chart above)
No duplicate tattoos: no duplicate full tattoo combinations for 22 years. Rules and Regulations
Mistake? Report what’s on the animal; re-tattoo if needed; ABGA updates the certificate.
Microchip / Freeze brand: accepted as official ID (freeze brand treated as a method of tattoo).
View rules to correctly identify your goats for ABGA registration, shows, and records.
Where to place herd prefix and year/serial, re-tattoo steps, microchips & freeze brands, transfers, and show requirements.
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