Section 4. If a certificate of number is lost, destroyed, or so mutilated as to be illegible, the owner shall, within fifteen days, notify the division in writing, describing the circumstances of the loss or destruction and certifying to its loss, together with a complete application form and a fee of one dollar for the replacement of such certificate of number. Any certificate of number so mutilated as to be illegible shall be forwarded to the director with the application form and prescribed fee for replacement.