When the US government acquired land through purchases or
treaties, these lands became public lands. The states founded in
these areas became known as public-land states. The US
government then sold this public land to private individuals or
firms through land patents. To acquire a land patent, a person
had to apply for a parcel of land and a survey was ordered to
define the parcel’s boundary lines. Once the boundaries were
established, the applicant paid cash for the land or provided
proof of credit and received a receipt for the purchase. After a
waiting period during which he improved the land as required by
law, the applicant could apply for a title to the parcel. The
land office in the area would review the request and issue a
title to the owner, who also could request a copy of the land
patent document.