2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 48.17.340: Service of process against nonresident agent or broker.

(1) Each licensed nonresident agent or broker shall appoint the commissioner as his attorney to receive service of legal process issued against the agent or broker in this state upon causes of action arising within this state. Service upon the commissioner as attorney shall constitute effective legal service upon the agent or broker.

(2) The appointment shall be irrevocable for as long as there could be any cause of action against the agent or broker arising out of his insurance transactions in this state.

(3) Duplicate copies of such legal process against such agent or broker shall be served upon the commissioner either by a person competent to serve a summons, or through registered mail. At the time of such service the plaintiff shall pay to the commissioner ten dollars, taxable as costs in the action.

(4) Upon receiving such service, the commissioner shall forthwith send one of the copies of the process, by registered mail with return receipt requested, to the defendant agent or broker at his last address of record with the commissioner.

(5) The commissioner shall keep a record of the day and hour of service upon him of all such legal process. No proceedings shall be had against the defendant agent or broker, and such defendant shall not be required to appear, plead, or answer until the expiration of forty days after the date of service upon the commissioner.

[1981 c 339 § 14; 1947 c 79 § .17.34; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.17.34.]