If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a duplicate upon furnishing information satisfactory to the Department. The duplicate certificate of title shall contain the legend, "THIS IS A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF A PERSON UNDER THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE." It shall be mailed to the owner named in it or his legal representative.

A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Department.