If, after a certificate of title has been issued for a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the county in which it is kept for use shall be changed, then upon application of the owner, so stating, the secretary may authorize the transfer of the duplicate certificate of title from the office of the treasurer of the county in which it was formerly kept to the county where the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is presently kept. Thereafter the county treasurer of the county in which such duplicate title certificate is transferred shall perform the duties imposed by this chapter. However, the keeping of a duplicate certificate of title in the office of the treasurer of a county in which the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is not actually kept may not affect the validity of the title or of any contract, lien, or encumbrance upon the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer described in the certificate.

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Source: SDC 1939, § 44.0202 (9) as added by SL 1951, ch 229, § 2; SL 1963, ch 252; SL 1965, ch 186, § 2; SL 1989, ch 257, § 35; SL 2003, ch 160, § 2.