§ 1821.3-1 - Elimination of the requirements.

(a) Written statements in public land matters under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior need not be made under oath unless the Secretary in his discretion shall so require (43 U.S.C. 1211). All written statements in public land matters within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior required prior to June 3, 1948, by law, or Chapter I of this title, to be made under oath, need no longer be made under oath, except as provided in this paragraph.

(1) Affidavits must be furnished where required by parts 1840 and 1850.

(2) Final proofs required by R.S. 2294 (43 U.S.C. 254). (See §§ 1821.3-2, 2511.3-4 and 2521.6(d) of this chapter.)

(3) Statements as to the financial worth of individual sureties on bonds furnished in connection with leases, licenses or permits granted under the public land laws, known as Affidavits of Justification, must be made in affidavit form.

(b) Unsworn statements in public land matters are subject to Title 18, U.S.C., section 1001, which makes it a crime for any person knowingly and willfully to make to any department or agency of the United States any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representations as to any matter within its jurisdiction.

(c) False statements as to any material fact made by an applicant in connection with applications, allowance of which is discretionary with the authorized officer, are a proper basis for rejection of the applications.