(a) 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 shall be served and shall agree, in such writing, that any lawful process against it which is served on said attorney shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the society and that the authority shall continue in force so long as any liability remains outstanding in this state. Copies of such appointment, certified by the commissioner, shall be deemed sufficient evidence thereof and shall be admitted in evidence with the same force and effect as the original thereof might be admitted.
(b) Service shall only be made upon the commissioner or, if absent, upon the person in charge of his office. It shall be made in duplicate and shall constitute sufficient service upon the society. When legal process against a society is served upon the commissioner, he shall forthwith forward one of the duplicate copies by registered or certified mail, prepaid, directed to the secretary or corresponding officer. No such service shall require a society to file its answer, pleading, or defense in less than 30 days from the date of mailing the copy of the service to a society. Legal process shall not be served upon a society except in the manner provided in this section. At the time of serving any process upon the commissioner, the plaintiff or complainant in the action shall pay to the commissioner a fee of $2.00.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 34 - Fraternal Benefit Societies.
Section 27-34-1 - Definitions.
Section 27-34-2 - Societies Deemed Operating on Lodge System.
Section 27-34-3 - When Society Deemed as Having Representative Form of Government.
Section 27-34-4 - Applicability of Chapter - Generally.
Section 27-34-5 - Applicability of Chapter - Exceptions.
Section 27-34-6 - License - Requirement; Renewal; Fee; Evidence.
Section 27-34-7 - License - Foreign or Alien Societies - Application; Qualifications.
Section 27-34-8 - License - Foreign or Alien Societies - Suspension, Revocation, or Refusal.
Section 27-34-9 - Articles of Incorporation - Contents.
Section 27-34-11 - Preliminary Certificate - Time to Complete Organization.
Section 27-34-12 - Preliminary Certificate - Initial Solicitations and Qualifications.
Section 27-34-13 - Certificate of Compliance.
Section 27-34-14 - Constitution and Laws; Powers.
Section 27-34-15 - Existing Incorporated Societies.
Section 27-34-16 - Incorporation of Existing Unincorporated Domestic Voluntary Associations.
Section 27-34-17 - Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, or Laws.
Section 27-34-18 - Waiver of Societies' Laws and Constitution.
Section 27-34-20 - Creation, etc., of Charitable, Benevolent, or Educational Institutions.
Section 27-34-21 - Members - Qualifications for Membership.
Section 27-34-22 - Members - Payment of Equitable Part of Deficiency.
Section 27-34-23 - Benefits - Generally.
Section 27-34-24 - Benefits - Lives of Children.
Section 27-34-26 - Beneficiaries.
Section 27-34-27 - Exemption of Benefits, etc., From Attachment, Garnishment, or Other Process.
Section 27-34-28 - Personal Liability for Payment of Benefits.
Section 27-34-29 - Issuance of Certificate to Each Benefit Member; Matters Constituting Agreement.
Section 27-34-30 - Life Benefit Certificate - Filing With Commissioner; Standard Provisions.
Section 27-34-31 - Life Benefit Certificate - Prohibited Provisions.
Section 27-34-32 - Accident or Health and Total or Permanent Disability Insurance Contracts.
Section 27-34-33 - Reinsurance.
Section 27-34-34 - Assets; Funds; Expenses.
Section 27-34-35 - Investments.
Section 27-34-36 - Annual Statements - Requirements.
Section 27-34-37 - Annual Statements - Valuation of Certificates; Reserves.
Section 27-34-38 - Annual Statements - Failure to File.
Section 27-34-39 - Examinations - Domestic Societies.
Section 27-34-40 - Examinations - Foreign and Alien Societies.
Section 27-34-41 - Examinations - Publication of Financial Statement, Report, or Finding.
Section 27-34-42 - Exemption From Taxation.
Section 27-34-43 - Applicability of Chapters 7 and 8a.
Section 27-34-44 - Agents - Solicitation Without License.
Section 27-34-45 - Misrepresentations.
Section 27-34-46 - Discrimination, Inducements, and Rebates.
Section 27-34-47 - Service of Process.
Section 27-34-48 - Consolidation or Merger - Procedure.
Section 27-34-49 - Consolidation or Merger - Effect.
Section 27-34-50 - Actions to Enjoin or in Quo Warranto; Liquidation; Receivership.
Section 27-34-51 - Applications for Injunctions.
Section 27-34-52 - Review of Decisions and Findings of Commissioner.