Seven-step due-diligence worksheet

Document the research before the field trip.

Use this worksheet to keep BLM, local-record, land-manager, access, and field checks distinct, and to remember exactly what needs a second look.

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Start with official sources

Open the records beside this worksheet.

BLM Mineral & Land Records System Search MLRS records ↗ BLM mining-claim guidance Read federal claim information ↗

You will also need the official recorder and land-manager sources for the particular state, county or borough, and parcel you are researching.

Your working notes

Research steps documented

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Describe the exact area

Record the state, county or borough, coordinates, and, when available, the township, range, section, and quarter-section. A vague place name is not enough to reconcile records.
Area, coordinates, PLSS, county or borough I recorded what I checked, where, and when.
Identify surface and mineral authorities

Document the surface manager, mineral-estate authority, and whether the area is subject to mineral entry. Surface access and mineral rights can be controlled by different entities.
Agencies, ownership sources, mineral-entry notes I recorded what I checked, where, and when.
Search BLM MLRS and the serial register

Search the Bureau of Land Management records using the location information. Record case or serial numbers, displayed status, source pages, and the date you checked, not only a map pin.
Serial numbers, record statuses, URLs, check date I recorded what I checked, where, and when.
Check the county or borough recorder

Look for location notices, amendments, transfers, affidavits, and other locally recorded documents. BLM data and local records can answer different parts of the question.
Recorder office, document numbers, dates, names I recorded what I checked, where, and when.
Verify restrictions and access

Ask the relevant land manager about withdrawals, closures, seasonal limits, access routes, timing, methods, equipment, permits, and other rules that may apply to the planned activity.
Contact, date, access route, restrictions, methods I recorded what I checked, where, and when.
Inspect notices and markers without disturbance

At the site, observe posted notices, monuments, stakes, fences, and access signs without moving or altering them. Stop and re-check records when field evidence conflicts with desk research.
Observed signs or markers, photos, unresolved conflicts I recorded what I checked, where, and when.
Keep the due-diligence trail

Save check dates, source links, agency contacts, document and serial numbers, screenshots or copies, and every unresolved conflict. Research becomes stale; preserve what you relied on and when.
Sources retained, contacts, follow-ups, re-check date I recorded what I checked, where, and when.

Carry the research trail in Gold Story

Log dated checks beside offline records and field notes.

Gold Story combines dated BLM record packs for 11 covered states, historic USGS references, a timestamped research log, and a private GPS field journal. There is no permanent free usage tier. Eligible new subscribers may receive a 3-day trial; current US prices are $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year.

View Gold Story on the App Store How the app works →

Open the records beside this worksheet.

Describe the exact area

Identify surface and mineral authorities

Search BLM MLRS and the serial register

Check the county or borough recorder

Verify restrictions and access

Inspect notices and markers without disturbance

Keep the due-diligence trail

Keep estimates and field skills separate from land research.

Log dated checks beside offline records and field notes.