[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2] [Revised as of July 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR224.2] [Page 73] TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY CHAPTER II--FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PART 224--FEDERAL PROCESS AGENTS OF SURETY COMPANIES--Table of Contents Sec. 224.2 Appointment of process agents. (a) Generally. Companies should especially note that the law prohibits the doing of business under the provisions of this act beyond the State under whose laws it was incorporated and in which its principal office is located until an agent is appointed to accept Federal process on behalf of the company. An agent for the service of Federal process should be appointed: (1) In the district where the principal resides; (2) In the district where the obligation is to be undertaken and performed; and (3) Also in the District of Columbia where the bond is returnable and filed. The appointment of process agents pursuant to a local State statute is not compliance with the Federal law. Although one and the same agent may serve under both the State and Federal appointments, he must, nevertheless, be especially designated to accept Federal process. It should also be noted that the agent so designated must reside within the jurisdiction of the court for the judicial district wherein such suretyship is to be undertaken, and must be citizen of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia in which such court is held. Consequently an agent residing in the northern district of New York could not at the same time serve as the company's Federal process agent for the southern district of that State. (b) Agent required in District of Columbia. Every company must, immediately upon receipt of its initial authority from the Secretary of the Treasury, appoint a suitable person resident in the District of Columbia on whom may be served all lawful process issued by the Federal Courts in said district. This appointment is required whether or not the company contemplates the writing of bonds in favor of the United States to be undertaken within the District of Columbia. (c) Agent not required in State of incorporation where principal office is located. The law does not require the appointment of Federal process agents for the State under whose laws the company is incorporated, and in which its principal office is located. [17 FR 2605, Mar. 26, 1952]