Section 38-1-16 - Personal service of process outside state. - New Mexico Statutes

38-1-16. Personal service of process outside state.

A.     Any person, whether or not a citizen or resident of this state, who in person or through an agent does any of the acts enumerated in this subsection thereby submits himself or his personal representative to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state as to any cause of action arising from:   

(1)     the transaction of any business within this state;   

(2)     the operation of a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state;   

(3)     the commission of a tortious act within this state;   

(4)     the contracting to insure any person, property or risk located within this state at the time of contracting;   

(5)     with respect to actions for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment, the circumstance of living in the marital relationship within the state, notwithstanding subsequent departure from the state, as to all obligations arising from alimony, child support or real or personal property settlements under Chapter 40, Article 4 NMSA 1978 if one party to the marital relationship continues to reside in the state.   

B.     Service of process may be made upon any person subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state under this section by personally serving the summons upon the defendant outside this state and such service has the same force and effect as though service had been personally made within this state.   

C.     Only causes of action arising from acts enumerated in this section may be asserted against a defendant in an action in which jurisdiction is based upon this section.   

D.     Nothing contained in this section limits or affects the right to serve any process in any other manner now or hereafter provided by law.