Process service agent

(a) Generally. An individual, partnership, association or corporation may appoint a resident of this state as service agent and consent that process may be served on the service agent as the agent of the individual, partnership, association or corporation. An instrument appointing the service agent must be acknowledged, must be filed with the office of the secretary of state and must include: (1) The name and address of the person or entity making the appointment; (2) the name and residence or office address of the service agent; and (3) if an entity makes the appointment, the state of its formation. (b) Change of address. An appointment must be amended, in writing, and filed with the secretary of state whenever the name or address of the service agent changes. (c) Period of appointment. An appointment remains in effect for a period of three years from the date of its filing unless it is revoked in a writing that is executed in the same manner as the appointment and is filed with the office of the secretary of state. (d) Collection of fee. The fee for filing an appointment, amendment or revocation shall be $20. The secretary of state shall remit all fees received pursuant to this section to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the information and services fee fund created in K.S.A. 75-438, and amendments thereto. (e) Effect of service on agent. When an individual, partnership, association or corporation has appointed a service agent and the appointment remains unexpired and unrevoked, process issued in any action or proceeding against the individual, partnership, association or corporation in any court may be served on the service agent. Service by publication is of no force or effect when an appointment of service agent made and filed under this section remains in effect unless process showing on its face the name and address of the service agent has been duly issued to the proper officer of the county of the service agent's address and the officer files a return stating that the officer cannot find the service agent in the county.