Service of process is made by delivering to the secretary of state, or some person in apparent charge of the secretary of state’s office, two copies thereof and by payment to the secretary of state of the fee prescribed by law. The secretary of state immediately shall forward by registered mail one copy to the defendant in a court proceeding, or to whom the process is addressed or directed in an administrative proceeding, at its last reasonably ascertainable address. The secretary of state shall keep a record of the date and hour of service. This service is sufficient if notice of the service and a copy of the process is mailed within ten days thereafter by certified mail to the defendant by the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney in a court proceeding, or to whom the process is addressed or directed by the commissioner in an administrative proceeding, at its last reasonably ascertainable address, and the defendant’s receipt issued by the post office with which the letter is registered, showing the name of the sender of the letter and the name and address of the person or insurer to whom the letter is addressed, and an affidavit of mailing showing compliance herewith is filed with the clerk of the court in which the proceeding is pending, or with the commissioner in an administrative proceeding. No judgment or determination by default may be entered in any proceeding until the expiration of forty-five days from the date of filing of the affidavit of compliance.

This section does not limit or affect the right to serve any process upon any person or insurer in any other manner permitted by law.