United States Attorneys will be advised when they have been authorized by the Land Acquisition Section under delegation of the Attorney General to acquire land on behalf of a federal agency. Accompanying the authorization to the United States Attorney to acquire the land will usually be the following documents, transmitted by email:

1. A. The government official's letter to the Attorney General requesting the institution of condemnation proceedings, and citing the authority for the taking;
2. B. Where immediate title is required, a declaration of taking and one copy thereof, to which will be attached a description of the land to be acquired and a map showing the land;
3. C. In cases where a declaration of taking is to be filed, a check for the estimated compensation, or instructions indicating how the check will be provided to the United States Attorney; and
4. D. Advice as to classification of the case and division of responsibility for the prosecution of the case between the United States Attorney and attorneys in the Land Acquisition Section. See JM 5-15.300.

On occasion the letter of transmittal may contain special instructions which will govern procedure if at variance with anything contained herein.

[updated April 2018]