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How to stake a mining claim in Washington
Lode and placer claims on federal land in Washington follow the federal mining law and RCW 78.08. Here is what Washington requires, from discovery to the annual filings.
Lay out a Washington 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.
- Post the notice at the discovery at the time of discovery, with the name of the lode, the locators and the date of discovery (RCW 78.08.060).
- Before recording, set a substantial post or stone monument at each corner, bearing the name of the lode and the date of location, at least 3 feet high; posts at least 4 inches in diameter set firmly in the ground. Where the ground has brush or trees, cut the brush and blaze the trees along the lines (RCW 78.08.060).
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 in a conspicuous place at the point of discovery (RCW 78.08.100).
- Within 30 days, mark the location on the ground so its boundaries can be readily traced, even if it is located by legal subdivisions (RCW 78.08.100). Corner posts like those for lode claims are recommended.
- Within 60 days of discovery, do at least $10 worth of development labor for each 20 acres of a placer claim, and record an affidavit of that labor with the County Auditor (RCW 78.08.100).
Monument markings
Mark each monument with the name of the claim and the date of location. Monument types Washington accepts:
- post at least 4 inches in diameter and at least 3 feet high, set firmly in the ground
- stone monument at least 3 feet high
The notice or certificate of location
The recorded lode notice states the locators, the date of location, the feet claimed on each side of the discovery, the general course of the lode and a description by reference to a natural object or permanent monument (RCW 78.08.050). The placer notice states the claim name, the locators, the date of discovery and posting, and a description by legal subdivisions (RCW 78.08.100).
Recording with the County Auditor
Record the notice with the County Auditor within 30 days after it is signed (RCW 78.08.040), and in any event within 90 days of discovery for a lode claim (RCW 78.08.050) or 30 days of discovery for a placer claim (RCW 78.08.100).
Fees: About $303.50 for the first page and $1 for each additional page (state and county fees as of July 2025).
Notarization
RCW 78.08 requires no acknowledgment for location notices; affidavits must be sworn.
Document format
- Page 1: a top margin of at least 3 inches and 1-inch margins on the bottom and sides; the return name and address at the top left; the title just below the top margin; the grantors and grantees; an abbreviated legal description; and the assessor's parcel number (RCW 65.04.045). Later pages: 1-inch margins. Type 8 point or larger.
- No Social Security numbers, dates of birth or parents' names.
Claim map
Washington 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
Within 30 days after the end of the assessment year (about October 1), record an affidavit of labor or of the federal fee paid with the County Auditor (RCW 78.08.081).
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 Washington
- Placer claims require $10 of labor per 20 acres within 60 days of discovery, plus a recorded affidavit.
- Placer claims must be marked on the ground even when located by legal subdivisions.
- Corner posts bear the claim name AND the date of location; brush must be cut and trees blazed along the lines.
- Lode end lines must be parallel (RCW 78.08.020).
- Recording costs about $303.50 per document, so per-claim recording is expensive.
- There is an unresolved conflict between the 30-day (RCW 78.08.040) and 90-day (78.08.050) lode recording periods; record within 30 days of signing to be safe.
Sources
- RCW 78.08 (location of mining claims)
- RCW 65.04.045 (recording format)
- BLM Oregon/Washington mining claim packet