D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 16, r. 16-309
Subject to the provisions of this section, application for any license under this chapter shall be deemed equivalent to appointment by the applicant of the Mayor as the applicant's true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served any judicial or other process or legal notice directed to the applicant in any action or proceeding against the applicant growing out of the applicant's operation under the license applied for, and to a signification of the applicant's agreement that any such process or notice which is so served shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the applicant personally in the District.
No process or notice may be served under this section upon any individual residing in the District, or upon any domestic corporation organized under the D.C. Business Corporation Act [ Pub. L. 83-389, 68 Stat. 177 (12-5-54)] or upon any foreign corporation having a registered agent in the District under the provisions of that Act.
The provisions of § 309.1 shall not be operative unless and until at least one bona fide attempt has been made to serve the process or notice in a manner otherwise provided by law.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 16, r. 16-309