(c) If a landlord or tenant is not a resident of this state or is a corporation not authorized
to do business in this state and engages in any conduct in this state governed by
this chapter, or engages in a transaction subject to this chapter, he or she may designate
an agent upon whom service of process may be made in this state. The agent shall be
a resident of this state or a corporation authorized to do business in this state.
The designation shall be in writing and filed with the secretary of state. If no designation
is made and filed or if the process cannot be served in this state upon the designated
agent, process may be served upon the secretary of state, but service upon the secretary
of state is not effective unless the plaintiff or petitioner forthwith mails a copy
of the process and pleading by registered or certified mail to the defendant or respondent
at his or her last reasonably ascertainable address. An affidavit of compliance with
this subsection shall be filed with the clerk of the court on or before the return
day of the process, if any, or within any further time the court allows.
(d) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 206, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 207, § 1.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 200, § 2; P.L. 1989, ch. 381, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 65; P.L. 2022,
ch. 206, § 1, effective June 27, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 207, § 1, effective June 27,
2022.