(a) (1) Every issuer filing an application for registration under this title and every issuer filing an application for, request for, or notice of an exemption from registration under this title, or a notice under § 11-503.1 of this title shall file with the Commissioner, in the form which the Commissioner by rule prescribes, an irrevocable consent appointing the Commissioner or the Commissioner's successor in office to be the issuer's attorney to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the issuer or the issuer's successor or personal representative which arises under this title or any rules or order under this title after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. (2) A person who has filed the consent in connection with a previous filing need not file another. (3) Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the Commissioner, but it is not effective unless: (i) The plaintiff, who may be the Commissioner, in a suit, action, or proceeding instituted by him, immediately sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to the defendant or respondent at the defendant's or respondent's last address on file with the Commissioner; and (ii) The plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this section is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within any further time the court allows. (b) (1) If any person, including any nonresident of this State, engages in conduct prohibited or made actionable by this title or any rule or order under this title, and he has not filed a consent to service of process under subsection (a) of this section and personal jurisdiction over him cannot otherwise be obtained in this State, that conduct is equivalent to his appointment of the Commissioner or his successor in office to be his attorney to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against him or his successor or personal representative which grows out of that conduct and which is brought under this title or any rule or order under this title, with the same force and validity as if served on him personally. (2) Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the Commissioner, but it is not effective unless: (i) The plaintiff, who may be the Commissioner, in a suit, action, or proceeding instituted by him, immediately sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to the defendant or respondent at his last known address or takes other steps which are reasonably calculated to give actual notice; and (ii) The plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this section is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within any further time the court allows. (c) When process is served under this section, the court or the Commissioner in a proceeding before him, shall order the continuance necessary to afford the defendant or respondent reasonable opportunity to defend.
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