Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 30438

Any person owning or claiming any interest in the property may file a verified petition with the board stating his interest in the property and requesting the release or recovery of the property on the ground that the property was erroneously or illegally seized. Any person served personally or by mail under Section 30437 shall file the petition within 20 days from the date of the personal service upon him or the date of the mailing of the notice to him. Any person not served personally or by mail under that section shall file the petition within 20 days from the date of publication of the notice. The failure of any such person to file a timely verified petition shall constitute a bar to his right to any interest in the property, except insofar as the rights of any such person may be established in an action filed by the board under this chapter.