Us Code § 5135 - Mortgages and deeds of trust by individual Indian owners; removal from trust or restricted status; application to Secretary

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5135 — Mortgages and deeds of trust by individual Indian owners; removal from trust or restricted status; application to Secretary, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5135. Mortgages and deeds of trust by individual Indian owners; removal from trust or restricted status; application to Secretary

(a) The individual Indian owners of any land which either is held by the United States in trust for them or is subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States are authorized, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior, to execute a mortgage or deed of trust to such land. Such land shall be subject to foreclosure or sale pursuant to the terms of such mortgage or deed of trust in accordance with the laws of the tribe which has jurisdiction over such land or, in the case where no tribal foreclosure law exists, in accordance with the laws of the State or Territory in which the land is located. For the purpose of any foreclosure or sale proceeding the Indian owners shall be regarded as vested with an unrestricted fee simple title to the land, the United States shall not be a necessary party to the proceeding, and any conveyance of the land pursuant to the proceeding shall divest the United States of title to the land. All mortgages and deeds of trust to such land heretofore approved by the Secretary of the Interior are ratified and confirmed.

(b) In the event such land is acquired by an Indian or an Indian tribe, such land shall not be removed from trust or restricted status except upon application to the Secretary under existing law.

(Mar. 29, 1956, ch. 107, 70 Stat. 62; Pub. L. 98–608, §2, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3173; Pub. L. 101–644, title III, §301(c), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4667.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 483a of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–644 inserted "tribe which has jurisdiction over such land or, in the case where no tribal foreclosure law exists, in accordance with the laws of the" before "State" in second sentence.

1984—Pub. L. 98–608 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

About This Section

25 U.S.C. § 5135 is part of Title 25 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 25 U.S.C. § 5135. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 5135

What does United States Code § 5135 cover?

Section 5135 ("Mortgages and deeds of trust by individual Indian owners; removal from trust or restricted status; application to Secretary") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 5135?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 5135" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 5135 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.