ARTICLE 7. Correction of Incorrect Descriptions of Patented Lands [7951. - 7958.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 7.

in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7951. Section 7951.

When payment has been made in full for any lands which were public lands of the State and a patent has been issued therefor, and the purchaser or his successor in interest has, for a period of five years, been in possession, claiming under such patent the lands intended to be described therein and thereby, but which lands are incorrectly described in the patent, the person so in possession of the lands may have a new and correct survey made of the lands covered by the patent. The plat or map and field-notes constituting the survey shall be made and certified by the county surveyor of the county in which the land is located or by any other surveyor licensed by the State.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7952. Section 7952.

After the map or plat and field-notes constituting the survey have been made, the field-notes and the map or plat shall be submitted to the commission for approval. If approved by it, the commission shall so certify and a copy of the map or plat and field-notes shall be filed in the office of the commission and a copy recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the land is situated. Such map or plat shall thereafter be the official map or plat of the land so surveyed.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7953. Section 7953.

After the filing and recording of the map or plat and field-notes, the purchaser or his successors in interest holding lands under such patent may file a verified petition in the superior court of the county in which all or the greater part of the property is located for the correction of the errors in the description. He shall set forth a copy of the patent in the petition, together with a statement showing a correct description of the lands intended to be described therein as is shown upon the plat or map and field-notes, and shall pray that a decree be entered by the court confirming the descriptions as so amended.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7954. Section 7954.

Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall set a day for the hearing thereof not less than 20 days from the date of the filing of the petition. A copy of the petition and of the order fixing time of hearing shall be served upon all owners of lands which are or may be affected by the decree of confirmation at least 10 days before the hearing and such owners may appear upon the day fixed and oppose the petition.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7955. Section 7955.

If, after the hearing, the court is satisfied that the descriptions as corrected are the true descriptions, it shall render a decree confirming the descriptions, which thereafter shall have the same effect as if the patent described the land in accordance with the corrected descriptions.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7956. Section 7956.

The cost of making the survey, map or plat and field-notes and all other necessary costs incurred in a suit brought under this article shall be apportioned among the petitioners and owners of lands affected by the decree in such proportions as the court may deem equitable.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7957. Section 7957.

Certified copies of the decree entered in the suit shall be filed in the office of the county recorder and in the office of the commission.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 7958. Section 7958.

Any number of land owners whose lands are contiguous or would be affected by the decree may unite in one petition under this article.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026