# 25 CFR § 151.14: How will the Secretary review title?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.14

## Section

- **Citation:** 25 CFR § 151.14
- **Heading:** How will the Secretary review title?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 25—Indians > CHAPTER I—BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR > SUBCHAPTER H—LAND AND WATER > PART 151—LAND ACQUISITIONS

## Text

(a) The applicant must submit title evidence as part of a complete acquisition package as described in § 151.8 as follows:
(1) The deed or other conveyance instrument providing evidence of the applicant's title or, if the applicant does not yet have title, the deed providing evidence of the transferor's title and a written agreement or affidavit from the transferor that title will be transferred to the United States on behalf of the applicant to complete the acquisition in trust status; and
(2) Either:
(i) A current title insurance commitment issued by a title company; or
(ii) The policy of title insurance issued by a title company to the applicant or current owner and an abstract of title issued by a title compact dating from the time the policy of title insurance was issued to the applicant or current owner to the present. The Secretary may accept a preliminary title report or equivalent document prepared by a title company in place of an abstract of title for purposes of this paragraph (a)(2)(ii) if the applicant provides evidence that the title company will not issue an abstract of title based on practice in the local jurisdiction, subject to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.
(3) The applicant may choose to provide title evidence meeting the title standards issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, in lieu of the evidence required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(b) After reviewing title evidence, the Secretary shall notify the applicant of any liens, encumbrances, or infirmities that the Secretary identified and may seek additional information or action from the applicant needed to address such issues. The Secretary may require the elimination of any such liens, encumbrances, or infirmities prior to acceptance of the land in trust status if the Secretary determines that the liens, encumbrances, or infirmities make title to the land unmarketable.

## Nearby sections

- [25 CFR § 151.1 § 151.1 What is the purpose of this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.1.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.2 § 151.2 How are key terms defined?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.2.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.3 § 151.3 What is the Secretary's land acquisition policy?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.3.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.6 § 151.6 May the Secretary approve acquisition of a fractional interest?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.6.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.9 § 151.9 How will the Secretary evaluate a request involving land within the boundaries of an Indian reservation?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.9.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.11 § 151.11 How will the Secretary evaluate a request involving land outside of and noncontiguous to the boundaries of an Indian reservation?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.11.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.13 § 151.13 How will the Secretary act on requests?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.13.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.14 § 151.14 How will the Secretary review title?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.14.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.17 § 151.17 What effect does this part have on pending requests and final agency decisions already issued?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.17.md)
- [25 CFR § 151.18 § 151.18 Severability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.18.md)
- [25 CFR § 153.3 § 153.3 Application form.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-153.3.md)
- [25 CFR § 153.6 § 153.6 Appeals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-153.6.md)
- [25 CFR § 158.53 § 158.53 Order to change designation of homestead.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-158.53.md)
- [25 CFR § 158.58 § 158.58 Disposition of proceeds of partition sales.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-158.58.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-151.14. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.