California Code, Government Code - GOV § 29850

If any warrant issued by the county auditor is lost or destroyed before it is paid by the treasurer, the amount due may be recovered by the legal owner or custodian by filing with the auditor or his or her designee an affidavit setting forth the fact of the loss or destruction of the warrant, the number, date, amount, and name of the payee, and all material facts relative to its loss or destruction.  The legal owner or custodian is entitled to file this affidavit at any time prior to the time the warrant becomes void.