I. Any nonresident employing unit who acquires the status of an employer under the provisions of this chapter or any resident employing unit who, after having acquired the status of an employer under the provisions of this chapter, removes himself from the state shall be deemed to have appointed the secretary of state or his successor in office to be his true and lawful agent upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceeding against him under the provisions of this chapter; and such acquirement shall be a signification of his agreement that any such process against him which is so served shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on him personally.
II. Service of such process shall be made by leaving a copy of the process in the hands of the secretary of state or in his office, and such service shall be sufficient service upon said employing unit; provided, that notice of such service and a copy of the process are forthwith sent by registered mail by the plaintiff to the defendant, and the defendant’s return receipt and the plaintiff’s affidavit of compliance therewith are appended to the writ and entered therewith. The secretary of state shall keep a record of all such processes, which shall show the date and hour of service.