26.1-15.1-35. Service of process

26.1-15.1-35. Service of process 1. Every society authorized to do business in this state shall appoint in writing the commissioner and each successor in office to be its true and lawful attorney upon whom all lawful process in any action or proceeding against it may be served and agrees that any lawful process against it which is served on the commissioner is of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the society. The authority continues in force so long as any liability of the society remains outstanding in this state. Copies of the appointment, certified by the commissioner, are sufficient evidence thereof and must be admitted in evidence with the same force and effect as the original. 2. Service may be made only upon the commissioner or upon any person in charge of the commissioner's office. It must be made in duplicate and constitutes sufficient service upon the society. When legal process against a society is served upon the commissioner, the commissioner shall forthwith forward one of the duplicate copies by registered mail, postage prepaid, directed to the secretary or corresponding officer. No service may require a society to file its answer, pleading, or defense in less than twenty days from the date of mailing the copy of the service to a society. Legal process may not be served upon a society except in the manner herein provided.