(a) A license to conduct a registration service, or a renewal of that license, shall not be issued to any applicant unless the applicant files with the department an instrument, in writing, in which the applicant appoints the director as the agent of the applicant upon whom all process may be served in any action which may be commenced against the applicant arising out of any claim for damages by any person by reason of the violation by the applicant of any provision of this code in connection with the registration service or any condition of the registration service’s bond.

(b) The applicant shall agree in the instrument that any process directed to the applicant, when personal service of process upon the applicant cannot be made in this state after due diligence and, in that case, is served upon the director or, in the event of the director’s absence from the office, upon any employee in charge of the office of the director, is of the same force and effect as if served upon the applicant personally.

(c) The applicant shall further agree, in writing, that the agency created by the instrument shall continue during the period covered by any license that may be issued and so long thereafter as the applicant may be required to answer in damages for a violation of this code in connection with the registration service or any condition of the bond.

(d) The instrument appointing the director as the agent for the applicant for service of process shall be acknowledged by the applicant before a notary public.

(e) If the registration service is served with process by service upon the director, one copy of the summons and complaint shall be left with the director or in the director’s office in Sacramento or mailed to the office of the director in Sacramento. A fee of five dollars ($5) shall also be paid to the director at the time of service of the copy of the summons and complaint.

(f) Service on the director is a sufficient service on the registration service if a notice of service and a copy of the summons and complaint are immediately sent by registered mail by the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney to the registration service. A copy of the summons and complaint shall also be mailed by the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney to the surety on the registration service’s bond at the address of the surety given in the bond, postpaid and registered with request for return receipt.

(g) The director shall keep a record of all process served on the director pursuant to this section, which shall show the day and hour of service, and shall retain the summons and complaint so served on file.

(h) If the registration service is served with process by service upon the director, the registration service has 30 days from the date of that service within which to answer any complaint or other pleading which may be filed in the cause.

(i) For purposes of venue, if the registration service is served with process by service upon the director, the service is deemed to have been made upon the registration service in the county in which the registration service has, or last had, its principal place of business.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1196, Sec. 3. Operative July 1, 1991, by Sec. 4 of Ch. 1196.)