25 CFR § 20.201 - How does the Bureau designate a service area and what information is required?
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t25/s20.201"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "25 CFR § 20.201 - How does the Bureau designate a service area and what information is required?"
title_number: 25
title_name: "Indians"
section_number: "20.201"
section_name: "How does the Bureau designate a service area and what information is required?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "HUMAN SERVICES"
part_number: "20"
part_name: "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "25 U.S.C. 13; Pub. L. 93-638; Pub. L. 98-473; Pub. L. 102-477; Pub. L. 104-193; Pub. L. 105-83."
regulatory_source: "65 FR 63159, Oct. 20, 2000, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "20"
---
# 20.201 How does the Bureau designate a service area and what information is required?
The Assistant Secretary can designate or modify service areas for a tribe. If you are a tribe requesting a service area designation, you must submit each of the following:
(a) A tribal resolution that certifies that:
(1) All eligible Indians residing within the service area will be served; and
(2) The proposed service area will not include counties or parts thereof that have reasonably available comparable services.
(b) Additional documentation showing that:
(1) The area is administratively feasible (that is, an adequate level of services can be provided to the eligible Indians residing in the area.);
(2) No duplication of services exists; and
(3) A plan describing how services will be provided to all eligible Indians can be implemented.
(c) Documentation should be sent to the Regional Director or Office of Self-Governance.
The Director or office will evaluate the information and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary can make a determination to approve or disapprove and publish notice of the designation of service area and the Indians to be served in the *Federal Register.* Tribes currently providing services are not required to request designation for service areas unless they make a decision to modify their existing service areas.