(1) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the State Tax Commission, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a replacement upon furnishing information satisfactory to the commission. The replacement certificate of title shall contain the legend “This is a replacement certificate and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate.” It shall be mailed to the lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.
(2) The State Tax Commission shall not issue a new certificate of title to a transferee upon application made on replacement certificate until fifteen (15) days after receipt of the application.
(3) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a replacement has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the State Tax Commission.