(a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the commissioner, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a replacement upon furnishing information, including personal identification acceptable and satisfactory to the commissioner. The replacement certificate of title shall contain the legend “This is a replacement title and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate.” Except as provided in subsection (b) of § 14-175, the commissioner shall present or mail the replacement certificate to the first lienholder named in the replacement certificate or, if none, to the owner.

(b) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a replacement has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the commissioner.