How to Figure Out Who Owns the Mineral Rights to Your Property

Many landowners don’t realize it, but they may not have full ownership of their property. In general, a property has surface rights and mineral rights. Even the space or air above the ground is considered a separate entity in some cases.

With surface rights being distinct from mineral rights, it’s wise to for you to contact Enfield Minerals to determine who owns your property’s mineral rights.

Surface Rights vs Mineral Rights

Largely focused on buying oil and gas rights in select states like North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas, our team of experts knows all about the way mineral rights differ from surface rights. When you purchase a piece of land, you may only buy the property’s surface rights or its mineral rights. Surface rights give you ownership of the ground while mineral rights grant you access to all the minerals the ground contains.

A former landowner may have sold all or some of your property’s mineral rights. With mineral rights being quite valuable in some cases, it’s advisable for you to research exactly what you do and don’t own.

Check Your Fee Simple Title

A fee simple title refers to the ownership of land that includes the surface, subsurface, and the air above the property. If own your land in “fee simple,” then you own the property’s mineral rights. It’s important to note that fee simple can be divided, meaning a prior owner may have sold the rights to some or all of the minerals located below the surface of your land.

Review Your Deed

For a more thorough check of who owns your land’s mineral rights, you should review your deed. If you don’t have a copy of your deed, you’ll need to visit the county recorder’s office to get one.

Work with Enfield Minerals

We’re the experts when it comes to buying and selling mineral rights. We can help you determine who owns the mineral rights to your land.

With deeds sometimes being out of date or inaccurate, Enfield Minerals will conduct exhaustive research to see if you own your mineral rights. If you do, we can facilitate a deal for you to sell them. Based on our mineral rights map, our team may be able to help you get the most out of your land in both literal and figurative contexts. Contact us to learn more now.