(a) In the event of the defacement, loss, or destruction of any number plates or validation stickers, the registrar, upon receiving and filing a sworn statement of the vehicle owner, setting forth the circumstances of the defacement, loss, destruction, or theft of the number plates or validation stickers, together with any defaced plates or stickers and the payment of a fee calculated to cover the cost of replacement, shall issue a new set of plates or stickers.

(b) The registrar shall then note on the registrar’s records the issue of new number plates and shall proceed in such manner as the registrar may deem advisable to cancel and call in the original plates so as to insure against their use on another motor vehicle.

(c) Duplicate registration certificates plainly marked as duplicates may be issued in like cases upon the payment of a $1 fee. Fees collected under this section must be paid into the state treasury and credited to the driver and vehicle services operating account under section 299A.705, subdivision 1.