New York Consolidated Laws, Public Lands Law - PBL § 36. Issue of patents

On the production to the commissioner of general services by the purchaser, his representative or assignee of any certificate heretofore issued by the state engineer and a receipt showing payment to the state of the whole of the purchase-money, the purchaser's bond on such sale shall be cancelled by the state department having custody of such bond and such commissioner shall deliver letters patent for the lands sold to the person entitled thereto.  If such certificate be lost or wrongfully withheld by any person from the owner thereof, such commissioner may receive evidence of such loss or wrongful detention, and issue a patent to the person who, on satisfactory proof, appears to him to be entitled thereto.