700 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 407

by the Commissioner and shall contain a full description of
the motor vehicle, together with a statement of the applicant's
title and of any liens or encumbrances upon said motor
vehicle. The Commissioner shall use reasonable diligence in
ascertaining whether or not the facts stated in said applica-
tion for a certificate of title are true, and if satisfied that the
applicant is the lawful owner of such motor vehicle, or other-
wise entitled to have the same registered in his name, shall
thereupon issue an appropriate certificate over his signature
and sealed with the seal of his office, procured and used for
such purpose. Said certificate shall contain such description
and other evidences of identification of said motor vehicle as
the Commissioner may deem reasonably necessary and proper,
together with a statement of any liens or encumbrances which
the application may show to be thereon. The charge for each
original certificate so issued shall be one dollar ($1.00), which
charge shall be in addition to the charge for the registration
of such motor vehicle. Said certificate shall be good for the
life of the car so long as the same is owned or held by the
original holder of such certificate and shall not have to be re-
newed annually. In the case of motor vehicles now owned and
already registered in this State during the year 1920, an appli-
cation for a certificate of title, accompanied by such evidences
of ownership and liens as the Commissioner may require, shall
be made within ninety (90) days after this Act becomes
effective. Immediately upon the passage of this Act, it shall
be the duty of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to cause to
be printed copies of this section and Section 157-A of this
Article, and to mail to every person to whom he has issued a
certificate of registration for the year 1920, one of such printed
copies accompanied by a specific notice that the title of such
motor vehicle must be registered as herein provided. After
the expiration of said ninety days, it shall be unlawful and a
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not leas than five dollars
($5.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for
any person to operate in this State a motor vehicle under a
Maryland registration number unless such certificate of title
shall have been issued as herein provided. In the event of the
sale or transfer of the ownership of a motor vehicle for which
an original certificate of title has been issued as aforesaid, the
original holders of such certificate shall endorse on the back
of the same an assignment thereof with warranty of title in