Land records · Parcel maps · October 6, 2026
What Is a Bounty Land Warrant? Military Land Records
What is a bounty land warrant? A federal certificate granting land to veterans for military service, often sold or assigned. Where to find the records.
What is a bounty land warrant? A bounty land warrant was a certificate issued by the federal government, and by some states, that entitled a military veteran or their heirs to a certain amount of public land as a reward for service. Federal warrants were issued under acts of Congress from the late 1700s through the 1850s for service in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, Indian wars, and the Mexican War. Many veterans sold or assigned their warrants rather than moving to claim land, so the person who finally received the land patent was often not the veteran. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
How warrants worked
- Application: a veteran or widow applied, proving service.
- Warrant issued: for a specific number of acres, such as 40, 80, 120, or 160.
- Location: the holder chose public land and filed the warrant at a land office.
- Patent: the government issued a land patent conveying title.
Warrants were transferable after certain laws, which created a market for them.
Assignments
Many warrants were assigned to speculators or settlers for cash. The patent then names the assignee, often noting that the land was located with a warrant issued to the original veteran. That detail can connect a patent to a veteran who never lived on the land. See what is a land patent.
State bounty lands
Some states had their own bounty land programs, such as reserved districts for Revolutionary War veterans. Records for these are usually held by state archives rather than the federal government.
Where to find records
| Record | Where |
|---|---|
| Warrant application files | National Archives |
| Patents issued with warrants | BLM GLO records website |
| Land entry case files | National Archives |
| State bounty land records | State archives |
Application files can include service details, family information, and affidavits, making them valuable for genealogy.
Reading a patent
Patents located with warrants usually state the act of Congress, warrant number, acreage, and original warrantee. The land description uses township, range, and section in public-land states. See what is the public land survey system and what is a GLO plat.
Tracing the land forward
After the patent, later transfers are recorded at the county recorder. Following deeds forward from the patentee shows how the land passed to later owners. See how to find old deeds.
Why it matters today
Bounty land warrants mostly interest historians and genealogists, but patents remain the root of title for many rural parcels in public-land states.
Searching tips
Search the BLM site by the veteran’s name and by the assignee’s name, since either may appear on the patent. Warrant numbers and the act year help match patents to application files at the National Archives.
Bottom line
A bounty land warrant granted public land to veterans for military service, often sold or assigned before land was claimed. Warrant applications are at the National Archives, and resulting patents are on the BLM GLO records site, with later deeds at county recorders. Find county records via the Platbookmapper map.
What is a bounty land warrant FAQ
Who received bounty land warrants?
Military veterans or their heirs, under various acts of Congress.
Could bounty land warrants be sold?
Yes, many were assigned to others for cash.
Where are bounty land warrant files kept?
Application files are at the National Archives; patents are on the BLM GLO site.
How many acres did a warrant give?
Commonly 40, 80, 120, or 160 acres, depending on the act and service.
Are bounty land records useful for genealogy?
Yes, application files often include family and service details.