# 48 U.S.C. § 1489: Loss of title of United States to lands in territories through adverse possession or prescription forbidden

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s1489

## Section

- **Citation:** 48 U.S.C. § 1489
- **Heading:** Loss of title of United States to lands in territories through adverse possession or prescription forbidden
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 48—TERRITORIES AND INSULAR POSSESSIONS > CHAPTER 10—TERRITORIAL PROVISIONS OF A GENERAL NATURE

## Text

On and after March 27, 1934 , no prescription or statute of limitations shall run, or continue to run, against the title of the United States to lands in any territory or possession or place or territory under the jurisdiction or control of the United States; and no title to any such lands of the United States or any right therein shall be acquired by adverse possession or prescription, or otherwise than by conveyance from the United States.

( Mar. 27, 1934, ch. 99 , 48 Stat. 507 ; Proc. No. 2695, eff. July 4, 1946 , 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352 .)

## Nearby sections

- [48 U.S.C. § 1 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s1.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 2 Repealed. Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, § 53 , 70A Stat. 641](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s2.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 3 Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a) , Sept. 6, 1966 , 80 Stat. 640](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s3.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 28 Repealed. Dec. 16, 1930, ch. 14, § 1 , 46 Stat. 1029](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s28.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 39 Repealed. Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 654, § 1(118) –(124), 65 Stat. 706](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s39.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 40, 41 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s40%20_us_usc_t48_s41.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 42 Repealed. Dec. 16, 1930, ch. 14, § 1 , 46 Stat. 1029](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s42.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 46 Repealed. July 28, 1956, ch. 772 , title III, § 301(a)(2), 70 Stat. 712](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s46.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 46–1 to 46–3 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s46%E2%80%931...46%E2%80%933.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 46a Repealed. July 1, 1944, ch. 373 , title VII, § 711, formerly title VI, § 611, 58 Stat. 714 ; renumbered Aug. 13, 1946, ch. 958, § 5 , 60 Stat. 1049](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s46a.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 46b to 48a Repealed. July 28, 1956, ch. 772 , title III, § 301(a)(1), (3), (5), 70 Stat. 712](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s46b...48a.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 49 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s49.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 50, 50a Repealed. July 28, 1956, ch. 772 , title III, § 301(a)(4), 70 Stat. 712](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s50%20_us_usc_t48_s50a.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 50b to 50d–1 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s50b...50d%E2%80%931.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s1489. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.