- 1). Obtain the property's warranty deed. The property's owner should have a copy of the warranty deed. If you are not the property owner, you will have to visit the local county courthouse, and obtain the warranty deed.
- 2). Once you have the warranty deed, the first place you should look is the reservation section. To reserve mineral rights, the surface rights owner must include a reservation in the property deed. The reservation will state something that indicates that mineral rights will not be sold with the property. If there is such a statement, then the current owner of the property's surface rights also holds the mineral rights. If not, proceed to the next step.
- 3). Look for the "Title Policy Schedule" in the warranty deed. In this section, look under schedule "A" "vesting." If there is a reference here that says something along the lines of "surface only..." then most likely a previous owner reserved the minerals to the property. If there is nothing listed in schedule "A" look at schedule "B" for a similar reference.
- 4). Continue to back-track through the property's past warranty deeds until you find any notes pertaining to mineral reservations. Follow Steps 1 to 3 as listed above.
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