§ 168.13 PROOF OF OWNERSHIP.

(a) The registrar shall not approve an application and shall not issue number plates for any motor vehicle, unless and until the title certificate issued under chapter 168A, or registration certificate if not titled, is delivered to the registrar. The registrar must be satisfied from the records that all taxes and fees due have been paid and that endorsements upon the certificate are in writing and have been signed by the seller and purchaser.

(b) The registrar shall not register and shall not issue number plates for a motor vehicle brought into Minnesota from another state until:

(1) a registration certificate or other evidence of title as may reasonably be required from the registrant within that state is surrendered to the registrar in the same manner as certificates of this state; or in lieu thereof

(2) the registrar receives evidence of the chain of ownership as will assure the payment of the proper tax so long as the motor vehicle is in the state.