276.531. Nonresident licensee to designate resident agent--agent to forward notices. - Missouri Statutes

Nonresident licensee to designate resident agent--agent toforward notices.

276.531. 1. Any person issued a license under sections276.401 to 276.581 who is, or after the issuance of said licensebecomes, a nonresident of the state of Missouri shall designatein writing the secretary of state of the state of Missouri as histrue and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawfulprocesses in any action or proceeding brought by the director orother person growing out of the licensee's violation of any ofthe terms of sections 276.401 to 276.581 or regulationspromulgated hereunder; except, any such nonresident who hasdesignated a resident agent upon whom process may be served asprovided by law shall not be required to designate the secretaryof state as his agent. The secretary of state shall be allowedsuch fees therefor as provided by law.

2. The acceptance of a dealer's license shall besignification of the licensee's agreement that any such processagainst him, which is so served, shall be of the same legal forceand validity as if served upon him personally. Such appointmentshall be irrevocable and binding upon his executor,administrator, or assigns. It shall be the duty of the licenseeto keep his current address on file with the office of thesecretary of state. The secretary of state shall forward thenotice to the person by registered mail, return receiptrequested, and when said return receipt is received the sameshall be forwarded to the director. In case the notice sent bythe secretary is refused or not claimed by the addressee, thenthe returned mail shall be forwarded to the director and, ineither event, the service or attempt thereof shall be sufficientservice upon the licensee.

(L. 1980 H.B. 1627 § 26)