Cal. Civ. Code § 704.22
Service of process in residential tenancy on nonresident party.
Operative Text
704.22 Service of process in residential tenancy on nonresident party. (1) A party to a residential tenancy in this state who is not a resident of this state shall designate an agent to accept service of process in this state for an action involving the tenancy. The agent shall be a resident of this state or a corporation authorized to do business in this state. If a party is a corporation, the agent is the corporation’s registered agent. (2) Designation of an agent under sub. (1) shall be in writing and filed with the department of financial institutions.
Wisconsin Statute § 704.22 requires any party to a residential tenancy in Wisconsin who does not reside in the state to formally designate an in-state agent for accepting legal service of process related to that tenancy. The designated agent must be either a Wisconsin resident or a corporation authorized to conduct business in the state; corporate parties automatically satisfy this through their registered agent. The written designation must be filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, creating an official record of who can be served on the nonresident party's behalf.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords who own Wisconsin residential rental property but live outside the state are required under Wis. Stat. § 704.22 to name a Wisconsin-based agent—an in-state individual or a business entity authorized to operate in Wisconsin—to receive legal papers on their behalf. Compliant out-of-state landlords put this designation in writing and file it with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions before any dispute arises. Keeping this filing current and accurate helps ensure that service of process in any tenancy-related action can be properly completed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Wis. Stat. § 704.22, tenants dealing with an out-of-state landlord have a right to know that a legally designated in-state agent exists to receive court documents on that landlord's behalf, making it easier to pursue any tenancy-related legal action in Wisconsin. If a landlord has not filed the required written agent designation with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, that may be relevant information when exploring enforcement options or legal remedies. Tenants can contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how this requirement might affect their ability to serve process in a dispute.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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