When an Indian of the Five Civilized Tribes makes application for removal of restrictions under authority of section 2(a) of the Act of August 11, 1955 (69 Stat. 666), the Secretary will determine the competency of the applicant.

(a) If the Secretary determines the applicant to be competent, he shall issue an order removing restrictions having the effect stated in §152.16.

(b) If the Secretary rejects the application, his action is not subject to administrative appeal, notwithstanding the provisions concerning appeals in part 2 of this chapter.

(c) If the Secretary rejects the application, or neither rejects nor approves the application within 90 days of the application date, the applicant may apply to the State district court in the county in which he resides for an order removing restrictions. If that State district court issues such order, it will have the effect stated in §152.16.