California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 7973

The authority of the commission to issue such certificate and likewise the authority of the auditor and Controller to issue their warrants, as provided in Section 7974, shall not be barred by any period of time which may have elapsed since the issuance of the certificate of purchase or patent, but in the issuance of the certificate, the commission shall first determine that the person applying for the certificate is the owner of the certificate of purchase or patent, and has not assigned or conveyed his interest therein or in the land therein described or any part thereof, and that it is a proper case for the issuance of a certificate. A copy of a patent duly certified by the county recorder of any county where it has been recorded shall have the same force and effect as the original.