(1) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, he shall, within ten days after demand and, in any event, within thirty days, execute a release of his security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Department of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the Department which shall file the release and note it upon the record of security interest maintained by the Department pursuant to Section 56-19-660. The Department shall then mail the certificate to the next lienholder or if no other lienholder, then to the owner. No charge shall be made by the lienholder for executing such release.

(2) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of a prior lienholder, the lienholder whose security interest is satisfied shall within ten days after demand, and, in any event, within thirty days execute a release in duplicate in the form the Department prescribes and deliver or mail a copy to the owner and a copy to the Department for notation upon the record of security interests maintained by the Department pursuant to Section 56-19-660.

(3) Upon failure of the lienholder to forward the certificate to the Department as required by this article he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-150.48; 1957 (50) 595, 1963 (53) 161.