Every applicant for registration of an offer to sell franchises under this law, by other than a California corporation, California limited partnership, or California limited liability company, shall file with the commissioner, in such form as he or she by rule prescribed, an irrevocable consent appointing the commissioner or his or her successor in office to be his or her attorney to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action or proceeding against him or her or his or her successor, executor or administrator, which arises under this law or any rule or order hereunder after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. A person who has filed such a consent in connection with a previous registration under this law need not file another. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the commissioner but it is not effective unless (a) the plaintiff, who may be the commissioner in a suit, action, or proceeding instituted by him or her, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered or certified mail to the defendant or respondent at his or her last address on file with the commissioner, 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 such further time as the court allows.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 140, Sec. 41. (AB 1164) Effective January 1, 2010.)