State Mining Claim Requirements
Comprehensive staking guide for lode mining claims across twelve 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska(AK) | 4 | — | AT CORNER | 90 days | AS 27.10 (Mining Claims) | |
| 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) | 6 | Side centers | AT DISCOVERY | 3 months | 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) | |
| Oregon(OR) | 4 | — | ON THE LODE | 60 days | ORS Ch. 517 (Mining Claims) | |
| Utah(UT) | — | — | AT DISCOVERY | 30 days | Utah Code 40-1 (Mining Claims) | |
| Washington(WA) | 4 | — | AT DISCOVERY | 90 days | RCW Ch. 78.08 (Location) | |
| Wyoming(WY) | 6 | Side centers | AT DISCOVERY | 90 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
- OR:On the vein or lode (ORS 517.010)
- UT:On a monument at the place of discovery
- WA:At discovery at time of discovery
- WY:At discovery point on surface
Posted at CORNER or FLEXIBLE
- AK:At the NORTHEAST corner of the claim
- 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. Idaho and Montana are the exceptions.
NOTARY/VERIFICATION REQUIRED
- ID (Idaho):
One locator must swear, on or attached to the notice, to citizenship, acquaintance with the ground, and that it was not previously located except where abandoned or forfeited. (IC 47-611)
- MT (Montana):
Certificate must be verified before an officer authorized to administer oaths. (MCA 82-2-102)
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)
- AK:No requirement (AS 27.10.050)
- AZ:Signature only (ARS 27-202)
- CA:Signature only (PRC 3901)
- CO:No requirement (CRS 34-43)
- NM:No requirement (NMSA 69-3)
- OR:No requirement (ORS 517)
- UT:No requirement (Utah Code 40-1)
- 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
Alaska
Notice Posting Location
AT CORNER: Notice posted at the NORTHEAST corner of the claim (AS 27.10.030(1))
Monument Specifications
Substantial stone monuments or posts at each corner or angle, at least 3 ft high and 3" in diameter, hewn; marked with the claim name, the position or number of the monument, and the direction of the boundary lines (AS 27.10.030(2))
Map/Description Requirements
No map required by statute; the certificate must describe the claim by reference to a natural object or permanent monument so a person who knows the vicinity can identify it (AS 27.10.050(5))
Filing Deadline
Certificate of location within 90 days after posting the notice (AS 27.10.050)
Monuments: No separate deadline in AS 27.10.030; the location is designated by posting and monumenting
Discovery Requirements
Discovery of a lode or vein of rock in place on the public domain, open to location under federal mining law (AS 27.10.010)
Claim Width Rule
Not set in AS 27.10; federal limit applies: 1,500 ft along the vein, 300 ft each side of its middle (30 U.S.C. 23)
Notary/Verification
No oath or verification in AS 27.10.050, which lists the certificate contents
Special Rules & Notes
- •UNIQUE: Notice posted at the NORTHEAST corner (AS 27.10.030(1))
- •Notice must give the approximate bearings of corners and angle posts and the distances between them
- •Boundary lines must be cut out, blazed, or marked so they can be readily traced
- •Witness monument REQUIRED where it is impracticable to place a monument in its true position; marked to indicate the true position (AS 27.10.030(2), lode only; the placer section has no such clause)
- •Failure to record within 90 days = abandonment; the ground is open to location (AS 27.10.060)
- •A location that does not comply with AS 27.10.030-.070 and .150-.190 is void (AS 27.10.010)
- •Amended certificate required when monuments are changed or the notice or certificate has an error (AS 27.10.070)
- •State annual labor follows federal law; if the federal requirement is waived, so is the state one (AS 27.10.150(c))
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"x14"; Scale: 1"=max 2000 ft; Tie to PLSS corner or permanent monument; Courses and distances
Filing Deadline
90 days from location
Monuments: Within 90 days of location (ARS 27-203(A))
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
- •NO witness-monument provision: ARS 27-202 to 27-205 allow no offset for an inaccessible corner
- •No right of location until the location monument and notice are in place (ARS 27-202(B))
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
No map required by statute; the recorded notice must include a statement of the boundary markings and their character, plus section, township, range and meridian (PRC 3911)
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
- •Placer claims taken by legal subdivision on surveyed land need not be staked or monumented (PRC 3902)
- •Witness monument MAY be set where precipitous ground makes the true position impractical or dangerous, and MUST be set where working the claim makes it impractical to maintain; marked to identify the true position (PRC 3915(b), (c))
- •Only three monument types allowed: wooden post, stone mound, or capped non-perforated metal post or solid rod (PRC 3915(a))
- •Corner monuments must bear claim name and corner designation
- •Annual affidavit must state that all required monuments and notices were in place, and the date (PRC 3913)
Colorado
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Plain sign/notice posted at discovery point on the surface
Monument Specifications
Lode: six substantial posts, hewed or marked on the sides facing the claim, sunk in the ground; set in a pile of stones where bedrock prevents sinking (CRS 34-43-107). Placer: posts at each angle (CRS 34-43-112)
Map/Description Requirements
Scale: 1"=500 ft (if using map option); Courses and distances; Tie to section/quarter-section corner
Filing Deadline
Lode: 3 months from discovery (CRS 34-43-103); placer: 30 days from discovery (CRS 34-43-112)
Monuments: Before filing the location certificate (CRS 34-43-106)
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
- •6 monuments: 4 corners + 2 SIDE centers (center of each side line) (CRS 34-43-107)
- •Witness rule: a post falling on precipitous ground where placing it is impractical or dangerous to life or limb may be set at the nearest practicable point, suitably marked (CRS 34-43-107)
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
SWORN AFFIDAVIT REQUIRED: one locator swears, on or attached to the notice and at or before recording, to U.S. citizenship (or declared intent), acquaintance with the ground, and that it was not previously located except where abandoned or forfeited (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 monument REQUIRED where it is impracticable to place a monument in its true position; marked to indicate the true position (Idaho Code 47-602)
- •Failure to record within 90 days = abandonment of claim (Idaho Code 47-604)
- •SWORN AFFIDAVIT required before recording (IC 47-611)
Montana
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted conspicuously at point of discovery
Monument Specifications
Tree: 8" diameter, blazed on four sides; Post: 4" square x 4.5 ft, set 1 ft deep, in a mound 4 ft wide x 2 ft high; Stone: 6" square x 18", two-thirds buried, with mound; Boulder: 3 ft above ground on the upper side. Marked with claim name and corner designation (MCA 82-2-101)
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)
- •NO witness-monument provision in MCA 82-2-101
Nevada
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted on discovery monument at point of discovery
Monument Specifications
Wood: 1.5"x1.5"x4 ft, 1 ft in ground; Metal: 2" dia x4 ft, 1 ft in ground, MUST BE CAPPED; Stone: 6" dia x18" long; Tree: 4" dia, blazed 3 ft up
Map/Description Requirements
Scale: min 500 ft/inch; Paper: 8.5"x14" (photocopyable) OR 24"x36" (mylar); 2 copies; Tie to survey corner or landmark; 3"x3" recording area on 8.5x14
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"x14" OR 24"x36" only
- •$15 filing fee per claim
- •Plastic pipe monuments (pre-1993) must be replaced with valid monuments
- •8.5x14 maps need 3"x3" blank recording area in top right corner
- •Certificates need NOT be sworn to (NRS 517.280)
- •Witness rule: where the proper placing of a monument is impracticable or dangerous to life or limb, it may be placed at the nearest point, properly marked to designate its right place (NRS 517.030(4))
- •On bedrock or precipitous ground a post may stand in a mound of earth or stones (NRS 517.030(4))
New Mexico
Notice Posting Location
CONSPICUOUS PLACE: Notice posted in some conspicuous place on the location (not specifically corner or centerline)
Monument Specifications
Lode: four substantial posts or monuments, one at each corner (NMSA 69-3-1(A), 69-3-10). Placer: the notice corner marked by a post at least 4 ft high securely set, or a substantial stone monument (69-3-1(B))
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"
- •NO witness-monument provision in NMSA 69-3-1 or 69-3-10
Oregon
Notice Posting Location
ON THE LODE: Notice of discovery and location posted on the vein or lode (ORS 517.010(1))
Monument Specifications
Four posts projecting at least 3 ft above ground, wood at least 1.5" x 1.5", or mounds of stone or earth and stone at least 2 ft high, one at each corner (ORS 517.010(2)(a))
Map/Description Requirements
No map required by ORS 517.010 or 517.030; the notice gives the course of the vein with reference to a natural object or permanent monument, and boundaries defined so they can be readily traced (ORS 517.010(1)(e))
Filing Deadline
Within 60 days of posting the location notice, with the county clerk (ORS 517.030)
Monuments: Within 30 days after posting the notice (ORS 517.010(2)(a))
Discovery Requirements
Discovery of a vein or lode of mineral-bearing rock in place on the unappropriated federal public domain (ORS 517.010(1))
Claim Width Rule
Notice states feet claimed each way from discovery and width each side of the vein; no limit in ORS 517.010, so the federal limit applies: 1,500 ft along the vein, 300 ft each side of its middle (30 U.S.C. 23)
Notary/Verification
No verification requirement in ORS 517.010 or 517.030
Special Rules & Notes
- •Corner posts within 30 days of posting the notice (ORS 517.010(2)(a))
- •Replacement posts not made of natural materials must be wood at least 1.5" x 1.5", projecting at least 3 ft (ORS 517.010(2)(b))
- •When a claim is declared invalid or dropped without transfer, posts not of natural materials must be removed and natural posts removed or dismantled (ORS 517.010(3))
- •Record with the county clerk within 60 days of posting (ORS 517.030); placer claims also 60 days (ORS 517.052)
- •Placer: same monuments at each corner or angle, plus markers along long sides; claims taken by legal subdivision need not be staked or monumented (ORS 517.046)
- •NO witness-monument provision in ORS 517
Utah
Notice Posting Location
AT DISCOVERY: Notice posted on a monument erected at the place of discovery (Utah Code 40-1-2)
Monument Specifications
No number or dimensions set by statute: claims "must be distinctly marked on the ground so that the boundaries thereof can be readily traced" (Utah Code 40-1-3)
Map/Description Requirements
No map required by Utah Code 40-1-2 to 40-1-4; the notice describes the claim by reference to a natural object or permanent monument (40-1-2(4))
Filing Deadline
Within 30 days of posting the notice, with the county recorder (Utah Code 40-1-4)
Monuments: Discovery monument when the discovery is made (Utah Code 40-1-2); no deadline stated for boundary marking
Discovery Requirements
No location until the vein or lode is discovered within the limits of the claim (Utah Code 40-1-1)
Claim Width Rule
Max 1,500 ft along the vein and 300 ft each side of its middle; end lines MUST be parallel (Utah Code 40-1-1)
Notary/Verification
No verification requirement in Utah Code 40-1-2 to 40-1-4
Special Rules & Notes
- •UNIQUE: No corner monument count or dimensions in statute; boundaries must be readily traceable (40-1-3)
- •Notice states linear feet each way from discovery, width each side of the center of the vein, and the general course of the vein (40-1-2(4))
- •Placer and mill site notices state acres or superficial feet claimed (40-1-2(5))
- •END LINES MUST BE PARALLEL (40-1-1)
- •Record a substantial copy of the notice with the county recorder within 30 days (40-1-4)
- •NO witness-monument provision in Utah Code 40-1
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
- •Lode: record within 90 days of discovery (RCW 78.08.050); placer: record within 30 days of discovery (RCW 78.08.100)
- •NO witness-monument provision in RCW 78.08
- •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
90 days from discovery (WS 30-1-101)
Monuments: Before filing location certificate (WS 30-1-103)
Discovery Requirements
Must discover mineral-bearing rock in place (WS 30-1-103(a)); lode width is measured from the discovery shaft (WS 30-1-125)
Claim Width Rule
Max 300 ft on EACH side of discovery shaft; Discovery shaft must be EQUALLY DISTANT from side lines (centered)
Notary/Verification
No verification or acknowledgment requirement in WS 30-1-101 to 30-1-105. (WS 30-1-104, cited here before, governs additional location certificates.)
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: no mining district may limit a claim to less than 150 ft per side (WS 30-1-125)
- •Not applicable to coal mines (WS 30-1-126)
- •Witness rule: a monument falling on precipitous ground where placing it is impracticable or dangerous to life or limb may be placed at the nearest point, properly marked (WS 30-1-103(a)(iii))
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 & Colorado: SIDE Centers (WS 30-1-103, CRS 34-43-107)
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 the annual maintenance fee ($200 per lode claim or site, $200 per 20 acres of placer claim) on or before September 1.
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. Statute text last checked: September 28 and 29, 2026.
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