When the US government
acquired land through purchases or treaties, these lands became public lands. The states founded in these areas became known as public-land states. The US government then sold this public land to private individuals or firms through land patents. To acquire a land patent, a person had to apply for a parcel of land and a survey was ordered to define the parcel’s boundary lines. Once the boundaries were established, the applicant paid cash for the land or provided proof of credit and received a receipt for the purchase. After a waiting period during which he improved the land as required by law, the applicant could apply for a title to the parcel. The land office in the area would review the request and issue a title to the owner, who also could request a copy of the land patent document.