24.06.395 - Service of process upon secretary of state.

Service of process upon secretary of state.

Whenever a foreign corporation authorized to conduct affairs in this state shall fail to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this state, or whenever any such registered agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the registered office, or whenever the certificate of authority of a foreign corporation shall be suspended or revoked, then the secretary of state shall be an agent of such corporation upon whom any such process, notice, or demand may be served. Service on the secretary of state of any such process, notice, or demand shall be made by delivering to and leaving with the secretary of state, or with any duly authorized clerk of the corporation department of the secretary of state's office, duplicate copies of such process, notice or demand. In the event any such process, notice or demand is served on the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall immediately cause one of such copies thereof to be forwarded by certified mail, addressed to the corporation at its principal office in the state or country under the laws of which it is incorporated. Any service so had on the secretary of state shall be returnable in not less than thirty days.

     The secretary of state shall keep a record of all processes, notices and demands served upon the secretary of state under this action, and shall record therein the time of such service and his or her action with reference thereto: PROVIDED, That nothing contained in this section shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand, required or permitted by law to be served upon a corporation in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.

[1982 c 35 § 147; 1969 ex.s. c 120 § 79.]

Notes: Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Application -- 1982 c 35: See notes following RCW 43.07.160.