§ 40-3-29 — Refusal to issue certificate of title

(a) The commissioner or the commissioner's duly authorized county tag agent shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title only if any required fee is not paid or if the commissioner or the commissioner's duly authorized county tag agent has reasonable grounds to believe that: (1) The applicant is not the owner of the vehicle; (2) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement; (3) The applicant fails to furnish required information or documents or any additional information the commissioner or authorized county tag agent reasonably requires; or (4) The registration of the vehicle stands suspended or revoked for any reason as provided in the motor vehicle laws of this state. (b) If the application for first certificate of title is rejected, the application shall be returned to the holder of the first security interest or lien named in the application or to the owner if there is no security interest holder or lienholder.