(1) A legal owner or the legal owner's authorized representative shall promptly apply for a duplicate certificate of title if a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, or becomes illegible. The application for a duplicate certificate of title must:
(a) Include information required by the department;
(b) Be accompanied by an affidavit of loss or destruction;
(c) Be accompanied by the fee required in *RCW 88.02.640(1)(k).
(2) The duplicate certificate of title must contain the word "duplicate." It must be mailed to the first priority secured party named in it or, if none, to the registered owner.
(3) A person recovering a certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly return the certificate of title that has been recovered to the department.