Subd. 1. Ownership at issue; certificate withheld or bond filed.

In the event application is made in this state for a certificate of title on a vehicle and the department is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or the existence of security interests therein, the vehicle may be registered but the department shall either:

1. (1) withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant shall present documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the department of the applicant's ownership of the vehicle and as to any security interest therein; or
2. (2) as a condition to issuing a certificate of title, require the applicant to file a bond in the form prescribed by the department and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash or executed by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, in an amount equal to 1-1/2 times the value of the vehicle as determined by the department. The bond shall be conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and secured party and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest therein, or the successor in interest of any said person, against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorneys' fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title to the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person shall have a right of action to recover on such bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all such persons shall in no event exceed the amount of the bond. Unless the department has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond and if all questions as to ownership and outstanding security interests have been resolved to the satisfaction of the department, such bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of three years or prior thereto in the event the vehicle is no longer registered in this state and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered.

Subd. 2. Nontransferable certificate.

In the event the issuance of a certificate of title is withheld in accordance with subdivision 1, or because the applicant is unable to surrender an existing certificate of title to the vehicle issued by another state, the department, upon payment of the same fee as for issuing a certificate of title, may issue to the applicant a nontransferable certificate in form designated by the department certifying that the applicant has applied for a certificate of title; provided that such certificate shall not be issued if the department has reasonable grounds to believe the applicant is not the owner or that the application contains a false or fraudulent statement.