What is a patent in relation to land?

A patent is defined as the formal document that conveys the sovereign's interest in a tract of land to an individual or entity. It represents the transfer of title from the government (or sovereign) to a private individual. This document signifies that the government legally recognizes the individual's claim to land, granting them ownership rights. Such patents are critical in land law as they establish a legal record of land ownership, asserting the individual's rights against any future claims.

This understanding of a patent is essential in the context of land ownership and property rights, as it establishes the origin of the title, allowing individuals to further develop or utilize the land according to legal statutes.