Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73
§403c Identity of lessor; period of lease
Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - LEASE, SALE, OR SURRENDER OF ALLOTTED OR UNALLOTTED LANDS › § 403c
Summary
Only an Indian landowner or the tribe’s authorized representatives can make leases, and the Secretary of Interior must approve them. If heirs of a deceased Indian cannot agree, restricted allotments may be leased under section 380. Tribal leases may not last longer than the tribe allows. Nothing here or in section 403b cancels prior lease authority.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §403c
Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Such leases may be made only by the individual Indian owner of the land or by the authorized representatives of the tribe or group of Indians to whom the land belongs, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior or his authorized representative. Restricted allotments of deceased Indians, when the heirs or devisees cannot agree on a lease, may be leased for them in the manner prescribed by section 380 of this title. No lease shall be made by or on behalf of any tribe for a longer period than is or may be authorized by the tribal constitution, charter, or ordinances. Nothing contained in this section or section 403b of this title shall be construed to repeal any authority to lease restricted lands which any Indian, Indian tribe, or official of the Department of the Interior would have in the absence of such sections.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 403c
Title 25 — Indians
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73