Legal Definitions - bounty-land warrant

A bounty-land warrant is a certificate issued by the state or federal government that confirms a veteran's eligibility to apply for ownership of a certain amount of public land. The veteran must apply for the warrant, and it is not automatically granted.

Once the application is approved, the veteran receives notice that the warrant has been issued in their name and is on file in the General Land Office. The warrant holder can then sell or transfer the warrant to anyone, even a nonveteran. The holder of the warrant has the right to redeem it and apply for a land patent.

The last law authorizing the issue of bounty-land warrants was passed in 1894, and the last warrants were issued in 1906.

John is a veteran who served in the military for 10 years. He applies for a bounty-land warrant and is approved. He receives notice that the warrant has been issued in his name and is on file in the General Land Office. John decides to sell the warrant to his friend, who is not a veteran. John's friend can now redeem the warrant and apply for a land patent.

This example illustrates how a veteran can apply for a bounty-land warrant and transfer it to someone else, even if they are not a veteran. The holder of the warrant has the right to redeem it and apply for a land patent.