32-9-128. Registered agent for mortgage broker, mortgage lender, or mortgage loan originator licensee without physical office in state -- venue. - Montana Statutes

     32-9-128. Registered agent for mortgage broker, mortgage lender, or mortgage loan originator licensee without physical office in state -- venue. (1) An applicant for a mortgage broker, mortgage lender, or mortgage loan originator license under 32-9-113 who does not maintain a physical office within the state shall file, in a form prescribed by the department, an irrevocable consent appointing the department as the registered agent of the applicant for the purpose of receiving service of any lawful process in a noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the applicant or its successors, executor, or administrator that is based on an alleged violation of this part or any administrative rule adopted pursuant to this part. Service on the department has the same force and validity as if served personally on the applicant or the person filing the consent.
     (2) Service must be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the department and is effective only if:
     (a) notice of the service and a copy of the process are sent by certified mail to the defendant or respondent at the last-known address on file with the department by the plaintiff, which may be the department, in an action, suit, or proceeding; and
     (b) the plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this section is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within a time the court allows.
     (3) In a judicial action, suit, or proceeding arising under this part or any administrative rule adopted pursuant to this part between the department and a licensee who does not maintain a physical office in this state, venue must be exclusively in Lewis and Clark County.
     (4) A notice, hearing schedule, or order must be mailed to the person or licensee by certified mail at the last-known address for which the license was issued or, in the case of an unlicensed person, at the last-known address of the person.

     History: En. Sec. 21, Ch. 321, L. 2009.