Missouri Laws 409.838 – Service of process, appointment of commissioner as agent for service
1. Every applicant for registration under sections 409.800 to 409.863 shall file with the commissioner, in such form as he by rule prescribes, an irrevocable consent appointing the commissioner, or his successor in office, to be his attorney to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against him, or his successor executor or administrator, which arises under sections 409.800 to 409.863, or any rule or order promulgated or issued under sections 409.800 to 409.863, after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the commissioner, but it is not effective unless:
(1) The plaintiff, who may be the commissioner in a suit, action, or proceeding instituted by him, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered mail to the defendant or respondent at his last address on file with the commissioner; and
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 409.838
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
(2) The plaintiff’s affidavit of compliance with this subsection is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.
2. When a person, including a nonresident of this state, engages in conduct prohibited or made actionable by sections 409.800 to 409.863, or any rule or order of the commissioner, the engaging in such conduct shall constitute the appointment of the commissioner as such person’s attorney to receive service of any lawful process in a noncriminal proceeding against such person, his successor, or personal representative, which grows out of that conduct and which is brought under sections 409.800 to 409.863 or any rule or order of the commissioner with the same force and validity as if served personally.
3. Service under subsection 1 of this section may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the commissioner, but it is not effective unless:
(1) The plaintiff, who may be the commissioner in a suit, action or proceeding instituted by him, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered mail to the defendant or respondent at his last address known to the commissioner; and
(2) The plaintiff’s affidavit of compliance with this subsection is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.