Every legitimate claim leaves a paper trail in two places: federal records and the county courthouse. Twenty minutes of checking separates a real, maintained claim from an expired one — or from ground the seller never owned. Here's the checklist we use ourselves.
1. Pull the Federal Record (MLRS)
The BLM's Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS) — successor to the old LR2000 — is the system of record for every claim on federal land. Search by the claim's serial number (the seller should hand this over without hesitation) and confirm four things: the claim status is active, the claimant of record matches the seller, maintenance fees or waivers are current, and the location (township, range, section) matches what's being advertised.
2. Check the County Record
Claims must also be recorded where they sit. The county recorder's index should show the original location notice and any transfers — the chain of title. A claim that's active with the BLM but missing county filings, or vice versa, is a claim with homework attached.
3. Confirm the Land Was Open to Location
A claim is only valid on federal land open to mineral entry. Land withdrawn for wilderness, national monuments, or other purposes can't host new claims, and claims inside withdrawals are only valid if they predate the withdrawal. BLM land-status records and master title plats settle the question.
4. Research the Ground Itself
Paperwork proves the claim is real; geology decides if it's worth owning. The USGS MRDS database catalogs historical mines and prospects — search your township for past producers. District histories, old assay reports, and our free mining library fill in the story. On our own listings we publish the geology, workings, and any assay data on each listing page.
Red Flags That Should End a Deal
- Seller won't provide the BLM serial number — there is no innocent explanation.
- Seller isn't the claimant of record and can't document the chain of title.
- Fees lapsed and the claim was relocated — the seller may be selling ground they lost.
- The advertised acreage or location doesn't match the federal record.
- "Patented claim" prices for unpatented paper — know the difference.
Our promise: every claim we sell is verified against BLM and county records before listing, and we share the serial numbers so you can check our work. That's how it should be everywhere. Browse verified claims or ask us to vet a claim you found elsewhere.