A registered owner or the registered owner's authorized representative shall promptly apply for a duplicate registration certificate if the person is applying for a replacement license tab or windshield emblem or a registration certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, or becomes illegible. The application for a duplicate registration certificate must include information required by the department and be accompanied by the fee required in RCW 46.17.320. The duplicate registration certificate must contain the word, "duplicate."
A person recovering a registration certificate for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly return the recovered registration certificate to the department.