State Mining Claim Requirements
Comprehensive staking guide for lode mining claims across nine western states. Monument specifications, notice posting rules, map requirements, and special rules for your staking packages.
Quick Reference Chart
Overview of monument and filing requirements for lode mining claims. States with 6-post requirements are highlighted.
| State | Posts | 6-Post Type | Notice Location | Notary | Filing | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona(AZ) | 6 | End centers | ON CENTERLINE | 90 days | ARS Title 27 Ch. 2 (Mining) | |
| California(CA) | 4 | — | AT DISCOVERY | 90 days | PRC Div. 3.5 Ch. 1 (Mining) | |
| Colorado(CO) | 4 | — | AT DISCOVERY | 90 days | CRS Article 43 (Claims) | |
| Idaho(ID) | 4 | — | AT CORNER | 90 days | Idaho Code Ch. 6 (Location) | |
| Montana(MT) | 4 | — | AT DISCOVERY | 60 days | MCA Title 82 Ch. 2 (Mining) | |
| Nevada(NV) | 4 | — | AT DISCOVERY | 90 days | NRS Ch. 517 (Mining Claims) | |
| New Mexico(NM) | 4 | — | CONSPICUOUS PLACE | 90 days | NMSA Ch. 69 Art. 3 (Mining) | |
| Washington(WA) | 4 | — | AT DISCOVERY | 90 days | RCW Ch. 78.08 (Location) | |
| Wyoming(WY) | 6 | Side centers | AT DISCOVERY | 60 days | WS Title 30 Ch. 1 (Mining) |
Always verify current requirements with official state statutes before staking claims.
Notice of Location Posting Requirements
Where you post your notice of location varies by state. This is a critical detail for valid claim staking.
Posted on CENTERLINE
- AZ:On discovery monument on centerline within claim boundaries
Posted at DISCOVERY POINT
- CA:At point of discovery on vein/lode
- CO:At discovery point on surface
- MT:Conspicuously at point of discovery
- NV:On discovery monument at discovery point
- WA:At discovery at time of discovery
- WY:At discovery point on surface
Posted at CORNER or FLEXIBLE
- ID:At ONE CORNER of the claim
- NM:"Conspicuous place on such location" (flexible)
Notary/Verification Requirements
Most states do not require notarization of the certificate of location, but two states have specific requirements.
NOTARY/VERIFICATION REQUIRED
- ID (Idaho):
Sworn affidavit required before recording. Locator must swear claim not previously located or has been abandoned. (IC 47-611)
- MT (Montana):
Certificate must be verified before an officer authorized to administer oaths. (MCA 82-2-102)
- WY (Wyoming):
Location certificate must be verified/acknowledged before filing. (WS 30-1-104)
EXPLICITLY NOT REQUIRED
- NV (Nevada):
Statute explicitly states: "Certificates of location need not be sworn to, and are not required to be in any specified form." (NRS 517.280)
NOT REQUIRED (no mention in statute)
- AZ:Signature only (ARS 27-202)
- CA:Signature only (PRC 3901)
- CO:No requirement (CRS 34-43)
- NM:No requirement (NMSA 69-3)
- WA:No requirement (RCW 78.08)
Note: Even in states that don't require notarization for the certificate of location, county recorders may have their own recording requirements. Annual assessment work affidavits may have separate notary requirements. Always verify with your local county recorder.
Detailed State Requirements
Arizona
Notice Posting Location
ON CENTERLINE: Notice posted on/in discovery monument erected on the centerline within claim boundaries
Monument Specifications
Posts: 4 ft ABOVE surface, min 1.5" cross section; Stone: 3 ft high
Map/Description Requirements
Max 8.5"×14"; Scale: 1"=max 2000 ft; Tie to PLSS corner or permanent monument; Courses and distances
Filing Deadline
90 days from location
Monuments: At time of location (implied)
Discovery Requirements
Discovery monument on centerline; conspicuous stone monument (3 ft) or post (4 ft above ground)
Claim Width Rule
Standard: Max 300 ft each side of centerline (symmetric)
Notary/Verification
Signature of locator required; no notarization specified (ARS 27-202)
Special Rules & Notes
- •Discovery monument MUST be on centerline within claim boundaries
- •Notice must state distance from discovery monument to each end of claim
- •6 monuments: 4 corners + 2 END centers (center of 600-ft end lines)
- •Each monument marked to identify corner or end center
California
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted on/in monument at point of discovery on the vein/lode
Monument Specifications
Wood post: 1.5" dia, 2 ft above ground; Stone mound: 2 ft high; Metal: 1" dia, 2 ft above ground (capped)
Map/Description Requirements
County-specific (per PRC 3914); Description by metes and bounds or legal subdivision
Filing Deadline
90 days from location
Monuments: 60 days from location for corner monuments
Discovery Requirements
Monument at point of discovery; notice posted on/in the monument
Claim Width Rule
Max 300 ft on EITHER side of centerline (symmetric from vein centerline)
Notary/Verification
Signature of locator(s) required; no notarization specified in statute (PRC 3901)
Special Rules & Notes
- •If claim described by legal subdivision on surveyed land, NO STAKING REQUIRED
- •Witness monuments allowed when terrain makes proper placement impractical
- •Corner monuments must bear claim name and corner designation
- •Annual affidavit must verify monument condition
Colorado
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Plain sign/notice posted at discovery point on the surface
Monument Specifications
Stone monuments, blazed trees, or other permanent monuments accepted; Discovery shaft 10 ft deep OR filed map
Map/Description Requirements
Scale: 1"=500 ft (if using map option); Courses and distances; Tie to section/quarter-section corner
Filing Deadline
90 days (3 months) from discovery
Monuments: At time of location
Discovery Requirements
Discovery shaft 10 ft deep showing well-defined crevice, OR open cut/crosscut/tunnel at 10 ft depth, OR 10 ft adit along lode, OR filed map in lieu of shaft
Claim Width Rule
Max 300 ft on EACH side of middle of vein (symmetric)
Notary/Verification
No notarization requirement specified in statute (CRS 34-43-103)
Special Rules & Notes
- •UNIQUE: Can file map in lieu of sinking discovery shaft
- •Discovery shaft must be 10 ft deep from lowest rim at surface
- •Certificate must state feet claimed on EACH SIDE of discovery shaft
- •Open cut, crosscut, or tunnel cutting lode at 10 ft depth = equivalent to discovery shaft
Idaho
Notice Posting Location
AT CORNER: Notice posted at ONE CORNER of the claim (not centerline)
Monument Specifications
Posts: 4 ft high, 4" square or diameter; Marked with claim name, corner number, boundary direction
Map/Description Requirements
Description with directions and distances; Tie to natural object or permanent monument
Filing Deadline
90 days from location
Monuments: Before recording (within 90 days)
Discovery Requirements
Notice at corner must include tie by direction and distance to natural object or permanent monument
Claim Width Rule
Standard federal limits apply (max 300 ft each side)
Notary/Verification
AFFIDAVIT REQUIRED: Locator must swear before notary/officer that claim not previously located or has been abandoned (IC 47-611)
Special Rules & Notes
- •UNIQUE: Notice posted at ONE CORNER, not centerline or discovery point
- •Each corner monument marked with claim name, corner number, and boundary direction
- •Witness monuments allowed when proper placement impractical
- •Failure to record within 90 days = abandonment of claim
- •SWORN AFFIDAVIT required before recording (IC 47-611)
Montana
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted conspicuously at point of discovery
Monument Specifications
Boulder: 3 ft above natural surface; Other substantial monuments accepted; Marked with claim name and corner designation
Map/Description Requirements
Description with reference to natural object or permanent monument; Section, township, range; Directions and distances from discovery
Filing Deadline
60 days from posting notice
Monuments: 30 days after posting notice for boundary marking
Discovery Requirements
Written/printed notice at discovery point with claim name, locator name, date, approximate dimensions
Claim Width Rule
Standard federal limits (max 1500 ft length, 600 ft width)
Notary/Verification
VERIFICATION REQUIRED: Certificate must be verified before officer authorized to administer oaths (MCA 82-2-102)
Special Rules & Notes
- •Boundary marking: 30 days after posting notice
- •Certificate filing: 60 days after posting notice
- •Federal compliance: 60 days after posting notice
- •Monument adequacy may be question for court if dimensions less than specified
- •VERIFICATION before officer authorized to administer oaths (MCA 82-2-102)
Nevada
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted on discovery monument at point of discovery
Monument Specifications
Wood: 1.5"×1.5"×4 ft, 1 ft in ground; Metal: 2" dia×4 ft, 1 ft in ground, MUST BE CAPPED; Stone: 6" dia×18" long; Tree: 4" dia, blazed 3 ft up
Map/Description Requirements
Scale: min 500 ft/inch; Paper: 8.5"×14" (photocopyable) OR 24"×36" (mylar); 2 copies; Tie to survey corner or landmark; 3"×3" recording area on 8.5×14
Filing Deadline
90 days (BLM and county)
Monuments: 60 days after posting notice for corner monuments
Discovery Requirements
Discovery monument same specs as corner monuments; Notice posted on/in it
Claim Width Rule
Notice must state width claimed on each side of center of vein (symmetric)
Notary/Verification
EXPLICITLY NOT REQUIRED: "Certificates of location need not be sworn to" (NRS 517.280)
Special Rules & Notes
- •NO OPEN-ENDED PVC OR PIPE - must be capped/crimped
- •Map scale: minimum 500 feet to the inch
- •Map paper: 8.5"×14" OR 24"×36" only
- •$15 filing fee per claim
- •Plastic pipe monuments (pre-1993) must be replaced with valid monuments
- •8.5×14 maps need 3"×3" blank recording area in top right corner
- •Certificates need NOT be sworn to (NRS 517.280)
New Mexico
Notice Posting Location
CONSPICUOUS PLACE: Notice posted in some conspicuous place on the location (not specifically corner or centerline)
Monument Specifications
Posts: 4 ft high, securely set in ground; Or substantial stone monuments at corners
Map/Description Requirements
USGS topo map or copy with claim depicted, OR narrative/sketch with tie to topographic/hydrographic/man-made feature
Filing Deadline
90 days from location
Monuments: At time of location
Discovery Requirements
Notice must include locator name(s), intention to locate, description by reference to natural object or permanent monument
Claim Width Rule
Standard federal limits apply
Notary/Verification
No notarization requirement specified in statute (NMSA 69-3-1/69-3-2)
Special Rules & Notes
- •Notice location flexible: "conspicuous place on such location"
- •Boundary marking relates back to time of posting if done within reasonable time
- •Map can be USGS topo with claim depicted OR narrative description
- •No professional surveyor required for map/description
- •Placer claims: notice at "designated corner"
Washington
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted at discovery point at time of discovery
Monument Specifications
Posts: 3 ft high, 4" diameter, set substantially in ground; Or stone monuments; Must bear lode name and date
Map/Description Requirements
Description by reference to legal subdivisions OR natural object/permanent monument; General course of lode
Filing Deadline
90 days from discovery
Monuments: At time of discovery
Discovery Requirements
Notice at discovery with claim name, locator name, date of discovery
Claim Width Rule
Max 300 ft each side of middle of vein; End lines MUST be parallel
Notary/Verification
No notarization requirement specified for location notice (RCW 78.08.050); affidavit/oath only for assessment work
Special Rules & Notes
- •END LINES MUST BE PARALLEL
- •Must CUT BRUSH and BLAZE TREES along boundary lines
- •Initial notice: 30 days; Full certificate: 90 days
- •MINERAL TRESPASS IS A CLASS C FELONY (defacing stakes/monuments)
- •Relocation requires new discovery shaft or equivalent development work
Wyoming
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Plain sign/notice posted at discovery point on the surface
Monument Specifications
Stone or posts, hewed/marked on face toward claim, sunk in ground
Map/Description Requirements
Courses and distances; Tie to natural object, permanent monument, or survey corner
Filing Deadline
60 days from location
Monuments: Before filing location certificate
Discovery Requirements
Discovery shaft required; must discover mineral bearing rock in place
Claim Width Rule
Max 300 ft on EACH side of discovery shaft; Discovery shaft must be EQUALLY DISTANT from side lines (centered)
Notary/Verification
Location certificate must be verified/acknowledged before filing (WS 30-1-104)
Special Rules & Notes
- •6 monuments: 4 corners + 2 SIDE centers (center of 1500-ft side lines)
- •Discovery shaft must be EQUALLY DISTANT from both side lines (on centerline)
- •Monuments marked on face(s) toward the claim
- •Width: min 150 ft per side allowed by mining districts
- •Not applicable to coal mines
- •Location certificate must be VERIFIED/ACKNOWLEDGED (WS 30-1-104)
Key Differences: End Centers vs Side Centers
Arizona: END Centers (ARS 27-204)
End centers at center of shorter 600-ft end lines (perpendicular to vein).
Wyoming: SIDE Centers (WS 30-1-103)
Side centers at center of longer 1500-ft side lines (parallel to vein).
Federal Requirements Apply Too
Claims on federal land must also comply with BLM regulations under 43 CFR Part 3832. Federal law requires recording with the BLM within 90 days and paying annual maintenance fees ($165/claim) by September 1st.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for reference purposes only. State and federal regulations are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with official sources before staking or filing mining claims. ChoraQuest is not responsible for errors or omissions. Consult with a qualified mining attorney or landman for specific legal advice. Last updated: December 29, 2025
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