342.10 Contents of certificate of title.

(1) Each certificate of title issued by the department shall contain:

(a) The name and address of the owner.

(b) The names of any secured parties in the order of priority as shown on the application or, if the application is based on another certificate of title, as shown on such certificate.

(bm) Notwithstanding s. 342.02 (2), if the applicant is named in a statewide support lien docket provided under s. 49.854 (2) (b), a notation stating “Per section 49.854 (2) of the Wisconsin Statutes, the state of Wisconsin has a lien on this vehicle for unpaid support."

(c) The title number assigned to the vehicle.

(d) A description of the vehicle, including make and identification number, except that if the vehicle was last registered in another jurisdiction the make and model contained in the certificate shall be the make and model contained in the last certificate of title issued by the other jurisdiction.

(dm) The mileage disclosure statement required under s. 342.155, and any notations or qualifying statements explaining the odometer reading specified by the department by rule.

(e) Any other data which the department deems pertinent and desirable.

(2)

(a) The certificate of title shall contain spaces for all of the following:

1. Assignment and warranty of title by the owner.

2. The mileage disclosure statement required by s. 342.155.

3. Reassignment and warranty of title by a dealer or wholesaler.

4. Any information required by the department when a motor vehicle is sold at a motor vehicle auction or motor vehicle salvage pool.

(b) The certificate of title may contain spaces for application for a certificate of title by a transferee and for the naming of a secured party and the assignment or release of a security interest.

(3) Before issuing a new or duplicate certificate of title for a motor vehicle, the department shall permanently record any of the following information, if applicable, on such certificate:

(a) That the vehicle was previously licensed and used as a taxicab or for public transportation.

(b) That the vehicle was previously licensed and used as a police vehicle by a law enforcement agency.

(c) That the vehicle was not manufactured in compliance with all federal emission and safety standards applicable at the time of manufacture, whether or not the vehicle was subsequently modified to meet such standards, and that the vehicle is “non-USA standard".

(d) That the vehicle was a flood damaged vehicle.

(e) That the vehicle was a manufacturers buyback vehicle.

(f) That the vehicle was previously a salvage vehicle.

(g) That the vehicle was transferred to an insurer upon payment of an insurance claim. This paragraph does not apply to salvage vehicles.

(h) That the vehicle was a hail-damaged vehicle. This paragraph does not apply to a hail-damaged vehicle that was repaired with any replacement part, as defined in s. 632.38 (1) (e).

(5) A certificate of title issued by the department is prima facie evidence of the facts appearing on it.

(6) A certificate of title may be issued by the department in an automated format.

History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 79; 1987 a. 349; 1993 a. 63, 159, 491; 1997 a. 27, 191; 1999 a. 9, 80, 186; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 184.

A certificate of title is not conclusive evidence of ownership. The purpose of sub. (5) is to furnish convenient evidence of vehicle ownership. National Exchange Bank of Fond du Lac v. Mann, 81 Wis. 2d 352, 260 N.W.2d 716 (1977).