N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 2112

§ 2112. Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates. (a) If a certificate\nof title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible,\nthe owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate,\nas shown by the records of the commissioner, shall promptly make\napplication for and may obtain a duplicate upon furnishing information\nsatisfactory to the commissioner. Unless the original certificate of\ntitle is surrendered to the commissioner, the duplicate certificate of\ntitle shall contain the legend "This is a duplicate certificate and may\nbe subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate." It\nshall be mailed to the owner.\n (b) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a\nduplicate has been issued shall promptly notify the commissioner of such\nrecovery and shall comply with the directions of the commissioner\nrelating to the disposition of such documents.\n