Whenever any motor vehicle for which a title has been issued by the Department, whether such vehicle is registered or unregistered, is stolen, the owner or holder of the certificate of title shall, within 30 days of such theft, in addition to complying with all the other provisions of this chapter, send the certificate of title of the stolen vehicle to the Department or an authorized representative thereof. If the stolen vehicle is recovered after the title has been sent to the Department, the Department shall return the title at no cost to the owner or former holder of the certificate of title within 10 days after receiving a request therefor from such owner or former holder.