§ 2225. Certificate of registration. 1. Certificate. Upon the filing of the application and payment of the fee as provided in this article, the commissioner shall assign to such snowmobile a distinctive number, and, without further expense to the applicant, issue a certificate of registration, in such manner and form as the commissioner shall prescribe. In the event of the loss, mutilation or destruction of any certificate of registration, the owner of the registered snowmobile may file such statement and proof of the facts as the commissioner shall require with a fee of one dollar, with the department, for the issuance of a duplicate or substitute.

2. Carrying certificate. Every person operating a snowmobile registered in accordance with any of the provisions of this article shall, upon demand of any magistrate, police officer or peace officer, when acting pursuant to his special duties, produce for inspection the certificate of registration for such snowmobile and shall furnish to such person any information necessary for the identification of such snowmobile and its owner. The failure to produce the certificate of registration as provided herein shall not be an offense, but shall be presumptive evidence of operating a snowmobile which is not registered as required by this article.

3. Change of residence. It shall be the duty of every owner holding a certificate of registration to notify the department, in writing, of any change of residence of such owner within fifteen days after such change occurs, and to inscribe on such certificate, in the place provided a record of such change of residence.

4. Change of ownership. Whenever a snowmobile is transferred or its use discontinued, the registration portion of the certificate of registration shall be properly signed and executed by the owner showing that the ownership of the snowmobile has been transferred or its use discontinued and such certificate shall be returned to the department within fifteen days after such transfer or discontinuance. In the case of transfer, the new owner shall apply for a new certificate by completing an application for registration, using the original number issued for such snowmobile. Such application shall be submitted to the department together with the renewal or transfer of the old certificate of registration, properly signed by the previous owner, and the required fee of five dollars. The renewal or transfer of the old certificate of registration, properly signed by the previous owner, shall constitute a temporary registration for such new owner for a period determined by the commissioner from the date such snowmobile was transferred to the new owner. In the event that such snowmobile was purchased from a registered dealer, the application must be accompanied by a dealer's form, numbered, completed and signed by the dealer or his agent and signed by the new owner, as prescribed by the commissioner.

5. Destruction, theft or removal from state. It shall be the duty of every owner of a snowmobile registered pursuant to the provisions of this article to notify the department, in writing, of the destruction, theft or permanent removal of such snowmobile from the state, within fifteen days of acquiring knowledge thereof. In the event of destruction or theft, the certificate of registration shall be surrendered with such notice.