---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 869–3"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "869–3"
heading: "Authority for transfers; applicability of section 869–2 to prior patents; termination of restrictions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/869-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 20 — Reservations and Grants to States for Public Purposes"
---

# §869–3. Authority for transfers; applicability of section 869–2 to prior patents; termination of restrictions


The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may authorize transfers of title or changes in use in accordance with the provisions of [section 869–2 of this title](/usc/43/869–2.md) with respect to any patent heretofore issued under any Act upon application by a patentee qualified to obtain a conveyance under section [869–1(a)](/usc/43/869–1.md) or [869–1(c)](/usc/43/869–1.md) of this title. If the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), pursuant to such an application, authorizes such transfer or use, all reverter provisions and other limitations on transfer or use, under sections [869](/usc/43/869.md) to [869–4](/usc/43/869–4.md) of this title or any other Act affecting the lands involved, shall cease to be in effect twenty-five years after the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) authorizes the transfer or use for a changed or additional purpose under the provisions of this section.


## Source credit

(June 14, 1926, ch. 578, § 4, as added June 4, 1954, ch. 263, 68 Stat. 175.)