---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 403c"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "403c"
heading: "Identity of lessor; period of lease"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/403c"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Lease, Sale, or Surrender of Allotted or Unallotted Lands"
---

# §403c. Identity of lessor; period of lease


Such leases may be made only by the individual [Indian](/usc/25/1934.md) owner of the land or by the authorized representatives of the [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) or group of [Indians](/usc/25/1934.md) to whom the land belongs, subject to the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior or his authorized representative. Restricted allotments of deceased [Indians](/usc/25/1934.md), when the heirs or devisees cannot agree on a lease, may be leased for them in the manner prescribed by [section 380 of this title](/usc/25/380.md). No lease shall be made by or on behalf of any [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) for a longer period than is or may be authorized by the tribal constitution, charter, or ordinances. Nothing contained in this section or [section 403b of this title](/usc/25/403b.md) shall be construed to repeal any authority to lease restricted lands which any [Indian](/usc/25/1934.md), [Indian tribe](/usc/25/81.md?p=a-2), or official of the Department of the Interior would have in the absence of such sections.


## Source credit

(Aug. 9, 1946, ch. 929, § 2, 60 Stat. 962.)