Section 1608. Designation of secretary of state for service

(a) Every nonresident offeror, whether or not such offeror has filed a
  registration statement, except a foreign corporation which has appointed
  and  keeps  a  resident  agent  in  this  state, shall be deemed to have
  appointed the secretary of state as his agent upon whom  may  be  served
  any  lawful process, authorized by this article, with the same effect as
  though served upon the offeror personally.
    (b) Service of process pursuant to this section shall be  accomplished
  by  leaving  a  copy  of  the  process in the office of the secretary of
  state, but it shall not be effective unless notice of the service and  a
  copy  of  the  process  is  sent  by certified or registered mail to the
  nonresident offeror served, at his last known address.