Frequently Asked Questions

The Commissioners of the Land Office holds both real estate and mineral auctions throughout the year.

The Real Estate Division conducts live auctions annually for the purpose of leasing agricultural lands managed by the Land Office. Bidders bid on the annual rent, with the appraised rent being the minimum acceptable bid. Occasionally leases are offered for commercial purposes such as residential, industrial or commercial development.

Land sale auctions are occasionally held at the discretion of the Land Office. Land sale auctions will be advertised in a brochure that is available in electronic format and by direct mail. All land sales are auctioned at public bid. Check the Auction Information page for land sale auction notifications.

Mineral auctions are done through a sealed bid process for a three-year lease term. If bidders are approved by the Land Office, they are able to bid electronically at minerals auctions. If production is achieved, the term of the lease is extended, as long as there is production in paying quantities.

Agricultural property auctions are held each year in the fall, usually beginning in late October and extending into November, if necessary. About one-fifth of the Land Office’s agricultural properties are offered for lease each year. The Oklahoma Constitution limits the term of agricultural leases to five years or less.

Mineral auctions are held six times a year. Tracts offered at auction are based on a nomination process, and become available as nominated.

Commissioners of the Land Office agricultural leases may be used for farming and ranching, as well as for hunting and recreational use.

Minerals are leased for the purpose of oil and gas exploration and production.

Agricultural property auction brochures are available in electronic format on the website, and by direct mail. This brochure contains the agricultural tracts that are available for lease in the upcoming fall auction. Please contact Debbie Welch at Debbie.Welch@clo.ok.gov to be included on the mailing list. This will also ensure that you are notified of agricultural leases that are offered at other times of the year.

Mineral auctions are posted as a notice of sale on the website four weeks prior to the upcoming sale. Notices are also published in counties where the land is situated, as well as in a general circulation newspaper in Oklahoma County.

You can also sign up to receive email notifications on upcoming real estate and mineral auctions.

Successful land lease auction bidders must pay 50% of the first year’s rent at the auction via check. The remaining 50% is due January 1 following the fall auction. Any bids of $500 or less must be paid in full. In either case, the full bid amount is due January 1 each year thereafter for the remainder of the contract.

Mineral auctions require that 25% of the bid price be submitted with the sealed bid, via check or electronic payment. Bids are evaluated, a recommendation is made to the secretary for approval, and the successful bidder must pay the remaining balance by check within 30 days of the secretary’s approval. An invoice and lease are sent to the successful bidder upon approval.

Agricultural tracts that are unleased at the annual fall auction are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the minimum appraised rent through the remainder of the year. If they remain unleased, a sealed bid offering is held in January following the fall auction. Tracts remaining unleased after the sealed bid offering may be re-evaluated and offered again in March. Leases may be offered at other times during the year on an as-needed basis. Leases must be offered to the public and may be offered through live auction or sealed bid.

Unleased minerals will be returned to inventory for future leasing.

The Land Office is not currently offering lands for sale, only for lease. It is at the discretion of the commissioners to decide which lands, if any, will be offered for sale.

The sale of minerals is prohibited by state law.

Yes, the Land Office offers contracting opportunities for conservation work. These are ongoing projects and are on an as-needed basis. Check the available contracting opportunities to find out what projects are out for bid. 

You must register with the Land Office to get on the approved bidders list. To become a state vendor, register here. To receive bid solicitations for your specific trade, contact our conservation department by emailing Tonja Defatta at Tonja.Defatta@clo.ok.gov for more details.

No, a bond is not required to contract with the Land Office. However, general liability and workers’ compensation insurance are required in accordance with state law.

Certain improvements necessary for the operation of the lease, such as fences, are allowed with prior written approval from the Land Office. For more details contact the real estate management specialist for your county. A list of real estate management specialists may be accessed here. 

Yes, you are allowed to hunt – in accordance with state laws – on property you have leased from the Land Office.

Subletting hunting rights is allowed. Agricultural rights cannot be sublet. 

Unleased Minerals Acreage may be accessed here. For additional information contact minerals management specialist Ginny Rhodes, by emailing Ginny.Rhodes@clo.ok.gov for more details.

To submit an open records request please read the open records policy, and then fill out the open records form. Once completed, submit by emailing the form to openrecords@clo.ok.gov.

The primary purpose of the Land Office is to administer the school land trust funds for the production of income for the support and maintenance of the common schools and the schools of higher education. This responsibility resides in the five commissioners: The Honorable Governor Mary Fallin; The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb; The Honorable State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones; The Honorable Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister; and Commissioner, State Board of Agriculture, Jim Reese. The chief administrative officer, Harry W. Birdwell, is the Secretary to the Commissioners of the Land Office.