(a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first priority lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a duplicate upon furnishing information satisfactory to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. 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 first priority lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. For the purposes of this subsection, “legal representative” means executor, administrator, attorney in fact, or trustee in bankruptcy, as distinguished from a mere agent.
(b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a new certificate of title to a transferee upon application made on a duplicate until 15 days after receipt of the application.
(c) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.