Land records · Parcel maps · October 5, 2026
How to Find Out Who Owns Mineral Rights
How to find out who owns mineral rights: trace deeds back to any severance, check county tax and lease records, state oil and gas files, and BLM data.
How to find out who owns mineral rights: start with the current surface deed, then trace the chain of title backward in county records until you find any deed that reserved or conveyed the minerals separately, known as a severance. Supplement that with county mineral tax rolls where they exist, recorded oil and gas leases, state oil and gas agency records, and federal records for land patented with mineral reservations. In many regions the surface and minerals have different owners. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Why mineral ownership can differ
Minerals can be split from the surface by a deed that sells the minerals or by a surface deed that “reserves” or “excepts” them. Once severed, the minerals pass separately, through wills, sales, and inheritances, and can end up divided among many heirs. See mineral rights and the lot line.
Step 1: Read your deed
Look for language such as “reserving unto grantor all oil, gas, and other minerals” or “subject to prior mineral reservations.” That tells you a severance happened, though not necessarily who owns the minerals now.
Step 2: Trace the chain of title
- Use grantor and grantee indexes at the county recorder.
- Work backward deed by deed. See what is chain of title and how to do a title search.
- Note every reservation, mineral deed, and royalty conveyance.
- Then trace forward from the severance to find current owners through later deeds, probates, and affidavits.
Step 3: Check other records
| Record | What it can show |
|---|---|
| County mineral or tax rolls | In some states, mineral interests are taxed and listed separately |
| Recorded oil and gas leases | Who signed leases and when |
| State oil and gas commission | Wells, permits, operators, spacing and pooling orders |
| Division orders and royalty payments | Current owners being paid, through the operator |
| Probate records | Heirs who inherited minerals |
| Federal records | Minerals reserved to the United States in patents, often managed by the Bureau of Land Management |
Federal reservations
Many western homestead patents under certain laws reserved minerals, such as coal or all minerals, to the United States. Read the original patent. See what is a land patent.
When to hire help
Mineral title can be complicated, with fractional interests and missing heirs. Landmen and title attorneys specialize in mineral title opinions. If an operator wants to lease or drill, they usually perform their own title work and may share findings.
Surface owner rights
Even when someone else owns the minerals, surface owners may have protections under state law, such as surface damage agreements or notice requirements. Rules vary greatly by state. See also what is a subsurface easement.
Bottom line
To find out who owns mineral rights, read your deed for reservations, trace the chain of title to any severance, and follow ownership forward through deeds and probates. Check county mineral rolls, leases, state oil and gas records, and federal patents. Use a landman or attorney for complex cases. Locate the parcel on the Platbookmapper map.
How to find out who owns mineral rights FAQ
How do I know if I own the mineral rights?
Check your deed and the chain of title for any reservation or mineral deed.
Are mineral rights recorded?
Mineral deeds, reservations, and leases are usually recorded with the county.
Can mineral rights be owned by someone else?
Yes. Minerals can be severed from the surface and owned separately.
Who keeps oil and gas well records?
State oil and gas regulatory agencies.
Should I hire a landman?
For complex or valuable mineral interests, a landman or title attorney can help.