The burden of proving his ownership and title shall be upon the applicant for a certificate of title. If satisfied that the applicant is the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer and the application is in proper form, the secretary shall issue a certificate of title over his signature, but not otherwise.

Source: SDC 1939, § 44.0203; SL 1945, ch 187 ; SL 1951, ch 229 , § 2; SL 1955, ch 161 ; SDC Supp 1960, § 44.0202 (8); SL 1965, ch 186 , § 2; SL 1989, ch 257 , § 26.