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How to stake a mining claim in California
Lode and placer claims on federal land in California follow the federal mining law and Public Resources Code 3900-3924. Here is what California requires, from discovery to the annual filings.
Lay out a California claim on the map
Lode claims
A lode claim may be up to 1,500 feet long and 600 feet wide (300 feet on each side of the middle of the vein), with parallel end lines.
- Erect a discovery monument at the point of discovery and post the notice in or on it (PRC 3900).
- Within 60 days after location, erect a monument at each corner, each marked to designate the corner and the name of the claim (PRC 3901). Only three monument types are lawful: a wooden post at least 1½ inches in diameter projecting at least 2 feet; a mound of stone at least 2 feet high; or a nonperforated, capped metal post or solid metal rod at least 1 inch in diameter projecting at least 2 feet (PRC 3915).
Placer claims
Placer claims are 20 acres per locator, up to 160 acres for an association of 8, described by aliquot parts of at least 10 acres and complete lots.
- Erect a conspicuous discovery monument at the point of discovery and post the notice in or on it (PRC 3902).
- Mark the boundaries so they can be readily traced, with a conspicuous and substantial monument at each corner (or the nearest accessible point), marked with the corner and the claim name (PRC 3902). A claim taken by legal subdivisions of surveyed land need not be staked, but staking the corners is still recommended.
Monument markings
Mark each monument with the corner it marks and the name of the claim. Monument types California accepts:
- wooden post not less than 1½ inches in diameter projecting at least 2 feet above the ground
- mound of stone projecting at least 2 feet above the ground
- nonperforated, capped metal post or solid metal rod not less than 1 inch in diameter projecting at least 2 feet above the ground
The notice or certificate of location
The recorded copy repeats the posted notice (claim name; locator's name and current mailing address; length each way from discovery, width each side of center and general course for a lode, or feet or acres for a placer; the date of location; the type of monuments; a description by reference to a natural object or permanent monument) and adds a statement of the markings and the section, township, range and meridian (PRC 3900, 3902, 3911).
Recording with the County Recorder
Within 90 days after posting, record a true copy of the notice with the County Recorder, with your statement of the markings of the boundaries and their character, and the section(s), township, range and meridian (PRC 3911).
Fees: About $10-15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page plus county add-ons, and the $75 SB2 (Building Homes and Jobs Act) fee per document (Gov. Code 27361, 27388.1).
Notarization
A notice of location may be recorded without acknowledgment (Gov. Code 27282(a)(3)). The annual affidavit needs a jurat.
Document format
- The top 2½ inches of page 1 are reserved for recording information; the left 3½ inches of that space show who requested recording and the return name and address (Gov. Code 27361.6). At least ½-inch side margins.
- The title goes on page 1 immediately below the reserved space (Gov. Code 27324).
- Signers' names typed or printed beside or below their signatures (Gov. Code 27280.5).
Claim map
California does not require a map with the notice; BLM does.
Filing with BLM
Within 90 days of location, file a copy of the recorded notice, a map, and the processing, location and initial maintenance fees ($274 per lode claim or per 20 acres of placer, as of October 11, 2026) with the BLM State Office or online in MLRS.
Every year
Every year, even if you pay the BLM maintenance fee, record an affidavit with the County Recorder within 30 days after the fee or labor deadline (about October 1), stating among other things that the monuments and notices were in place (PRC 3913). Not recording raises a presumption of abandonment.
Federally, pay the $200 maintenance fee per claim by September 1, or file a small miner waiver and the annual affidavit or notice of intent to hold by December 30.
What is different in California
- Only three kinds of monuments are lawful, and they must be removed within 180 days after a claim is abandoned or lost (PRC 3915).
- Lode corners are due within 60 days of location; finish monumenting before you record, because the recorded statement describes the markings.
- An annual county affidavit is required every year even when the BLM fee is paid.
- The $75 SB2 fee applies per recorded document, so per-claim recording is expensive.
- A non-complying location is void (PRC 3905).
Sources
- Public Resources Code 3900-3924
- Government Code 27361.6 (recording format)
- Civil Code 1189 (acknowledgment)