The Commissioner, on request of any person, shall furnish a certificate, under seal of the Department, setting forth a distinguishing number or license plate of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, together with the name and address of its owner. The certificate shall be prima facie evidence in any court in the Commonwealth of the ownership of the vehicle to which the distinguishing number or license plate has been assigned by the Department. Certificates furnished under this section shall be provided free of charge to law-enforcement officers of the Commonwealth, any other state, or the federal government, but the Commissioner may charge a reasonable fee for certificates furnished under this section to other persons.
Code 1950, § 46-35; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-34; 1989, c. 727.