48 USC § 1489 - Loss of title of United States to lands in territories through adverse possession or prescription forbidden

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t48/s1489"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "48 USC § 1489 - Loss of title of United States to lands in territories through adverse possession or prescription forbidden"
title_number: 48
title_name: "TERRITORIES AND INSULAR POSSESSIONS"
section_number: "1489"
section_name: "Loss of title of United States to lands in territories through adverse possession or prescription forbidden"
chapter_number: 10
chapter_name: "TERRITORIAL PROVISIONS OF A GENERAL NATURE"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Mar. 27, 1934, ch. 99, 48 Stat. 507; Proc. No. 2695, eff. July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352.)"
---


# § 1489. Loss of title of United States to lands in territories through adverse possession or prescription forbidden

March 27, 1934

On and after , no prescription or statute of limitations shall run, or continue to run, against the title of the United States to lands in any territory or possession or place or territory under the jurisdiction or control of the United States; and no title to any such lands of the United States or any right therein shall be acquired by adverse possession or prescription, or otherwise than by conveyance from the United States.

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**Source Credit**: (Mar. 27, 1934, ch. 99, 48 Stat. 507; Proc. No. 2695, eff. July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352.)

## Editorial Notes

### Codification

Reference to Philippine Islands omitted in view of independence of Philippines proclaimed by President of United States in Proc. No. 2695, set out under , Foreign Relations and Intercourse, and issued pursuant to .