Metal Detecting Permission Letter & Finds Agreement Template

Most permission is won at a farmhouse door, not by post. But a short letter helps. It shows you’re organised, insured and serious about reporting. And an agreement signed before you start saves arguments later.

Key facts

Who must agree: The landowner and the occupier, e.g. a tenant farmer
Who owns finds (England & Wales): Normally the landowner, unless Treasure
Treasure reward split: Normally 50% landowner, 50% finders
Scotland: No landowner share by right. Agree any split in writing
NCMD guidance: Share finds worth over £500 50/50, if you both agree
Recommended by: PAS, Treasure Trove Scotland, CLA, NFU, NCMD

From the PAS Code of Practice, the Treasure Act Code of Practice (2023), the Treasure Trove Scotland Code of Practice (2026), NCMD Policy No 10 and the PAS landowner leaflet. This page isn't legal advice. Sources at the end.

Below are both, free to copy. Change the brackets. Keep it short.

Who has to say yes

The PAS Code of Practice says all land has an owner and an occupier, and you need both to agree. That includes parks, beaches and foreshore. A tenant farmer can’t give permission on their own.

Ownership matters too. The PAS says that, in England and Wales, archaeological finds other than Treasure belong to the landowner by law. That is why the Code says to agree in writing who owns what you find.

Before you go, ask about restrictions. Scheduled monuments are off limits without consent. Some SSSIs and land in agri-environment schemes have their own rules. See our guide to what counts as Treasure for the reporting side.

The permission letter

Use this as a first approach, or leave it behind after a chat.

[Your name] [Your address] [Phone] · [Email]

[Date]

Dear [Name],

Request to metal detect on [farm or field name]

I’m a metal detectorist living in [town], and I’d like to ask permission to search [the field / your land at …].

A little about how I work:

I’m a member of [NCMD / FID], which gives me public liability insurance. I’m happy to show you my card.
I follow the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting. I only search ploughed or disturbed ground unless you agree otherwise, and I fill every hole.
I’ll keep to the areas and dates you set, close gates and keep clear of crops and stock.
I’ll show you everything I find. I’d like to record archaeological finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, at whatever level of location detail you’re comfortable with.
Anything that might be Treasure will be reported to the coroner within 14 days, as the law requires.

I’ve attached a simple finds agreement so we’re both clear on ownership. I’m happy to change it to suit you.

Thank you for considering it.

Yours sincerely, [Name]

The finds agreement (England and Wales)

Print two copies. Each of you keeps one.

Search and finds agreement

Landowner: [name, address, phone]
Occupier (if different): [name, address, phone]
Detectorist(s): [name, address, phone, NCMD/FID number]
Land: [name and location], as shown on the attached map
Dates: from [date] to [date]. Either party may end this agreement at any time.

Boundaries and conditions. The detectorist will search only the area marked on the map and follow these conditions: [e.g. no detecting on growing crops; park by the barn; no detecting during lambing].
Protected areas. The landowner will tell the detectorist about any scheduled monuments, SSSIs or agri-environment scheme restrictions on the land. The detectorist will keep out of these areas unless the relevant consent has been given.
Conduct. The detectorist will follow the PAS Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting, fill all holes and hold public liability insurance.
Showing finds. The detectorist will show the landowner all finds.
Ownership of non-Treasure finds. Finds belong to the landowner. The landowner agrees that the detectorist may keep finds, except: [none / finds worth over £[amount]]. For any kept find worth over £[amount], [percentage]% of its value goes to the landowner if it is sold.
Recording. The detectorist [may / may not] record archaeological finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, giving the findspot as [an 8-figure grid reference / parish only].
Treasure. Possible Treasure will be reported to the coroner, via the local Finds Liaison Officer, within 14 days, with an accurate findspot. The parties ask the Treasure Valuation Committee to split any reward [50% landowner / 50% finder(s)].
Human remains and explosives. The detectorist will stop and call the police (and the landowner) for human remains or anything that may be explosive.

Signed (landowner) [signature] Date [date]
Signed (occupier) [signature] Date [date]
Signed (detectorist) [signature] Date [date]

How to fill in the money clauses

Non-Treasure finds. Nobody sets this for you. The NCMD’s own guidance suggests sharing anything worth over £500 on a 50/50 basis, but stresses that it’s only guidance. Agree a number you’re both comfortable with.

Treasure. The Treasure Act Code of Practice says the Treasure Valuation Committee normally recommends 50% of the reward to the landowner and 50% shared between finders. It takes agreements into account but isn’t bound by them. Writing the split down still matters: it shows what you both intended.

PAS findspots. The PAS Code asks finders to record findspots to at least an 8-figure grid reference. NCMD notes that some landowners want less detail on the record, and that it’s their choice. The PAS says it only publishes findspots to a 1 km area anyway, and doesn’t list sensitive ones.

Scotland: change two clauses

Scotland works differently. Under the Treasure Trove Scotland Code of Practice, finds don’t belong to the landowner or the finder. They have to be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit, and the Crown may claim them. So:

Replace clause 5 with: “All archaeological finds will be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit. The detectorist may keep finds the Crown disclaims, subject to these conditions: [ ].”
Replace clause 7 with: “If the Crown claims a find, the detectorist will pay the landowner [percentage]% of any Finder Reward received.”

The Code says landowners aren’t entitled to a share of rewards except by private agreement, but may reasonably ask for one. It strongly recommends written agreements, signed and dated. It also warns that these agreements are private: the Treasure Trove Unit can’t enforce them, and an unresolved dispute could affect the reward. Our Scotland guide has more.

Northern Ireland

Don’t use this template in Northern Ireland without advice. Digging to search for archaeological objects there needs a licence from the Department for Communities. Read our Northern Ireland guide first.

Official versions

If you’d rather use a recognised form:

The PAS recommends written finds agreements from the CLA and NFU.
The NCMD publishes search agreement forms for England & Wales and for Scotland (Policy No 10, Issue 3).

Our templates are a plain-English starting point, not legal advice. If a lot of money could be at stake, take advice.

FAQ

Do I need written permission to metal detect?

The law requires permission, not a written form. But the PAS Code of Practice advises getting permission and an agreement about ownership of finds in writing, and Treasure Trove Scotland strongly recommends written, signed and dated agreements.

Who owns what I find metal detecting on someone's land?

In England and Wales, finds that aren't Treasure normally belong to the landowner. Treasure belongs to the Crown. In Scotland, all archaeological finds are ownerless and can be claimed by the Crown; the landowner has no right to them, but a private agreement can give them a share of any reward.

How should finds be split with a landowner?

It's up to you both. For Treasure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Treasure Valuation Committee normally recommends 50% to the landowner and 50% shared between finders, and takes agreements into account but isn't bound by them. The NCMD suggests splitting anything worth over £500 50/50, as guidance only.

Does a tenant farmer's permission count?

Not on its own. The PAS Code says land can only be searched with both the landowner's and the occupier's agreement. NCMD says if a tenant signs on the landowner's behalf, the landowner must know about it.

Where can I get an official finds agreement?

The PAS points landowners to written finds agreements from the CLA and NFU. The NCMD publishes search agreement forms for England & Wales and for Scotland in its Policy No 10. Our template below is a plain-English starting point.

Sources

Every figure in this guide comes from one of these. We checked each one on 1 November 2026.

Portable Antiquities Scheme, Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting. finds.org.uk/guides/detecting-guidance/code-of-practice-for-responsible-metal-detecting
Portable Antiquities Scheme, “Metal detecting on your land – know your rights” (landowner leaflet, August 2018 text). finds.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-03/Landowner%20leaflet%20FINAL.pdf
National Council for Metal Detecting, Policy No 10 Issue 3: Search Agreements (15 August 2024). www.ncmd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/NCMD-Policy-No-10-Search-Agreement.pdf
DCMS, The Treasure Act 1996 Code of Practice, 3rd revision, 2023 (para. 108). www.gov.uk/government/publications/treasure-act-1996-code-of-practice-3rd-revision
Treasure Trove Scotland, Code of Practice (2026), §§61, 85–90. treasuretrovescotland.co.uk/sites/default/assets/File/Final_Code_of_Practice_2026_full_master.pdf