§ 31-7-7 - Service on nonresident. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 31-7-7

   § 31-7-7  Service on nonresident. –(a) Service of process on a nonresident shall be made by leaving a copy of theprocess with a fee of five dollars ($5.00) in the hands of the administrator ofthe division of motor vehicles or in his or her office with some one acting inhis or her stead as the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and theservice shall be sufficient service upon the nonresident.

   (b) Notice of the service and a copy of the process shall besent by registered or certified mail prior to service or immediately afterservice by the plaintiff or his or her attorney of record, to the defendant atthe address given upon the defendant's registration or operator's license. Thesender's post office receipt of sending and the plaintiff's or his or herattorney's affidavit of compliance are to be returned with the process inaccordance with applicable procedural rules.

   (c) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsections (a) and(b) of this section, however, once service has been made on the administratorof the division of motor vehicles as provided in this section, the court shallhave the authority in the event of the failure to comply with the requirementof notice to the nonresident to order any notice that shall be sufficient toapprise the nonresident of the pendency of the suit against him or her, and inaddition may extend the time for answering by the nonresident. It is alsosufficient if notice and a copy of the process are served upon the defendantoutside the state in accordance with applicable procedural rules.