As an alternative to service of legal process under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 4, the service of such process upon any insurance company or any foreign or alien entity licensed or admitted and authorized to do business in this State under the provisions of this Chapter may be made by the sheriff or any other person delivering and leaving a copy of the process in the office of the Commissioner with a deputy or any other person duly appointed by the Commissioner for that purpose; or acceptance of service of the process may be made by the Commissioner or a duly appointed deputy or person. Service may also be made by mailing a copy of the summons and of the complaint, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the Commissioner. As a condition precedent to a valid service of process under this section, the party obtaining such service shall pay to the Commissioner at the time of service or acceptance of service the sum of ten dollars ($10.00), which the party shall recover as part of the taxable costs if the party prevails in the action. (1899, c. 54, ss. 16, 62; 1903, c. 438, s. 6; Rev., s. 4750; C.S., s. 6414; 1927, c. 167, s. 1; 1931, c. 287; 1951, c. 781, s. 9; 1971, c. 421, s. 1; 1985, c. 666, s. 5; 1989, c. 645, s. 2; 1991, c. 720, s. 4; 1995, c. 517, s. 8.)