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How to stake a mining claim in Nevada
Lode and placer claims on federal land in Nevada follow the federal mining law and NRS 517.010 to 517.300. Here is what Nevada requires, from discovery to the annual filings.
Lay out a Nevada 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 location monument at the point of discovery and post the notice in or on it (NRS 517.010).
- Within 60 days after posting, place a legal monument at each corner (NRS 517.030): a tree at least 4 inches in diameter blazed and marked at least 3 feet above ground; a rock in place capped with stones to at least 3 feet; a wooden post at least 1½ × 1½ inches × 4 feet set 1 foot in the ground; a metal post at least 2 inches in diameter × 4 feet set 1 foot in the ground (if hollow, capped or crimped closed with no open perforations); or a stone at least 6 inches in diameter and 18 inches long set two-thirds into a mound 3 feet across and 2½ feet high. Plastic pipe is not a lawful monument.
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.
- Post the notice on a monument at any point along the north boundary of the claim (NRS 517.090).
- Post the notice on a monument along the north boundary, and mark the boundaries in the same manner as a lode claim (NRS 517.090). On surveyed land, a claim taken by legal subdivisions needs no markings other than the location monument, but staking the corners is recommended.
Monument markings
Mark each monument with the name of the claim and the number of the corner. Monument types Nevada accepts:
- wooden post at least 1½ inches by 1½ inches by 4 feet, set 1 foot in the ground
- metal post at least 2 inches in diameter by 4 feet, set 1 foot in the ground, securely capped, with no open perforations
- tree at least 4 inches in diameter, blazed and marked not less than 3 feet above the ground
- rock in place capped with smaller stones to a height of at least 3 feet
- stone at least 6 inches in diameter and 18 inches long, set two-thirds of its length in a mound of earth or stone 3 feet in diameter and 2½ feet high
The notice or certificate of location
The lode certificate states the name of the lode, the locator's name and mailing address, the date of location, the feet claimed each way from the point of discovery with the width on each side of the center of the vein and its general course, that the work of location consisted of making the maps, and the location and description of each corner with its markings (NRS 517.050). The placer certificate states the name (designated a placer), the locator's name and address, the date and the feet or acres claimed (NRS 517.110). One claim per certificate (NRS 517.195). No oath is required (NRS 517.280).
Recording with the County Recorder
Within 90 days after location, record duplicate certificates of location and two copies of the claim map with the County Recorder (NRS 517.040, 517.050, 517.100, 517.110). A certificate that is not recorded in time, or omits a required fact, is void.
Fees: Certificate: about $10 per document plus county add-ons, plus $10 per claim in state fees (NRS 247.310, 517.185, 513.094). Map: $15 per lode claim or $1 per acre for placers (NRS 517.040, 517.100). Example (Washoe): $28 + $10 per certificate and $18 + $15 per lode map.
Notarization
Certificates of location need not be sworn and need no particular form (NRS 517.280). The annual affidavit (NRS 517.230) needs a jurat.
Document format
- White 20-pound 8½ × 11 paper; 1-inch margins on the sides and bottom; a 3 × 3-inch space at the upper right of page 1 and a 1-inch top margin on later pages; text at least 10-point; no more than 9 lines per inch (NRS 247.110).
- Signers' names typed or printed beneath their signatures (NRS 247.190); recorders may require an affirmation that the document contains no personal information (NRS 239B.030).
- A metes-and-bounds description should name the person who prepared it (NRS 111.312).
Claim map
Record two copies of a map of each claim, on 8½ × 14-inch (or 24 × 36-inch) sheets, at a scale of 1 inch = 500 feet or larger, showing the monuments and their numbers, tied by courses and distances to an official corner of the public land survey, with the township, range, section and quarter section of the claim and of the corner (NRS 517.040, 517.100). No surveyor is required.
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 by November 1, record with the County Recorder an affidavit of labor or (if you paid the BLM maintenance fee) an affidavit and notice of intent to hold, with $2 plus $10 per claim and document fees (NRS 517.230).
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 Nevada
- Nevada requires a separate certificate of location for each claim, filed in duplicate, plus two copies of a claim map at 1 inch = 500 feet or larger.
- Corners are due within 60 days of posting; recording within 90 days.
- The placer notice goes on a monument on the NORTH boundary.
- A certificate that combines several claims is void except as to the first one described.
- The annual county notice of intent to hold is required by November 1 even when the BLM fee is paid.
- Plastic pipe monuments are not lawful; antedating a notice or false statements are felonies (NRS 517.300).
Sources
- NRS Chapter 517 (mining claims)
- NRS 247.110 (recording format)
- Nevada Division of Minerals: mining claims