Service of process.

The notice filed by a nonresident franchisor under section 7a shall be considered an irrevocable consent appointing the corporations and securities bureau of the department of commerce to be its attorney to receive service of lawful process in any noncriminal action or proceeding against it or its successor, executor, or administrator, which arises under this act or a 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. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the corporations and securities bureau of the department of commerce but it is not effective unless the plaintiff, who may be the department in an action or proceeding instituted by it, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by certified mail to the defendant or respondent at its last address on file with the department and the plaintiff's affidavit of compliance is filed in the action, on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.