SPA has been providing qualified attorneys specialized in representing the trucking industry as resident agents since 1979. Service of Process Agents provides BOC-3 process agents in each state with 40 years of experience. Check to make sure your BOC-3 filing provider is on this list of certified providers by the FMCSA. In certain instances — such as a name change, transfer of authority, or reinstatement of your motor carrier operating authority — your BOC-3 may need to be refiled. After this information is provided to FMCSA, they will issue operating authority and mail this documentation to your company. The filing fee can be as low as $25 whereas some operating state fees can be around $100.
When filling out this form, you will need to provide your personal information to the processing agency. Look at each processing agency’s different tiers to determine which one is best suited for you. This website is not affiliated with the Unified Carrier Registration Plan. This website is operated by a private company that provides a private registration service for an additional fee. Hopefully, now you know the answers to “Do I need to file a BOC-3 form?” and “What does BOC-3 processing agent stand for?” If you have more questions, FMCA Filings can help.
It is essential to use the most up-to-date version of the form to avoid complications during the filing process. Some charge an annual fee plus per-document charges, while others bill a one-time BOC filing fee. The applicant should contact a process agent, who can file Form BOC-3 (Designation of Process Agents) with the FMCSA. The Apex Startup Program has a longtime trusted BOC-3 partnership with Service of Process Agents, Inc. (SPA).
What is a blanket process agent?
Many professional process agents charge an annual fee with additional charges for each document handled while others charge a one-time BOC-3 filing fee. Additional fees may also include address change fees and charges for expedited BOC-3 filing (often requested by companies looking to get their businesses up and running quickly). An SOP agent or process agent is essentially an individual or business organization appointed by your business who is authorized to receive legal documents on the principal’s behalf.
Fill out the BOC-3 form carefully, ensuring that all the information provided is accurate and up to date. You must provide details about your trucking company, such as the legal name, address, and contact information. Additionally, you must provide the names and addresses of your designated process agents for each state. A process agent is a representative responsible for accepting legal documents that may be served against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. Process agencies must employ or lease the services of individuals or entities within each state and be federally registered with the FMCSA in order to be able to grant a BOC3.
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- A completed BOC-3 form should include information on all states for which agency designations are needed, and it’s imperative to keep a copy of the form at your registered business address at all times.
- And, if you need more tips, don’t forget to check out our podcast Haulin Assets, where we started our own trucking company and walk you through it step by step.
- Companies may select any blanket company on the process agent list (they are not limited to the state in which they are domiciled).
- Additionally, if your trucking authority changed its name, had a transfer of authority, or reinstatement of MC operating authority, you are required to refile the BOC-3 Form with this updated information.
Our process agents are attorneys who understand the importance of their role. It is also very important to maintain your correct mailing address with the FMCSA as well as ATA (your blanket company) to ensure you receive any court proceeding papers and avoid a possible default judgement. FMCSA Regulation 49 CFR Part 366 details more about the Designation of Process Agents by Motor Carriers and Brokers. The BOC-3 filing is part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-required process of starting a trucking company and getting active operating authority. Additionally, the BOC-3 filing allows motor carriers to find trusted process agents to receive government papers on their behalf if any legal action against the trucking company.
Do I Really Need FMCSA BOC 3 Process Agents?
Free, expertly crafted resources to help you navigate complex federal regulations and hiring practices, right at your fingertips. No matter the size of your company, Foley has the hiring and compliance solutions to help you thrive. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial to access telecommunications relay services. It is a form of identification required by the Department of Transportation…. To help you get started, here is everything you need to know about BOC-3 filing.
Wolters Kluwer is a global provider of professional information, software solutions, and services for clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. FreightWaves Ratings reference a list of approved sources for use of research to support editorial research and drafting. If there are ever any changes of details, like a transfer of authority or name change, you must refile the BOC-3 form. After completing this form, whether by filling out a physical piece of paper or doing it online, you must file it with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Typically, an agent completes the BOC-3 filing for you, but we’ll talk more about that later.
A BOC-3 is also required in order to reinstate an MC or FF number that has been revoked. Your BOC-3 process agents must also be available at that address during normal business hours (This is essentially the same as needing to have a registered agent in each state you operate in when you have coinmama exchange review an LLC). The Blanket of Coverage (BOC-3) form is an FMCSA requirement for interstate transportation companies. A BOC-3 form designates a person or an office to accept any legal papers on your behalf in any state you conduct business and/or traverse through, and then forward them to you.
By visiting the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance website, you can also determine whether your operating authority has been issued. To work with us, simply click here, provide us with the carrier’s legal name, MC number, and DOT number (as alpari review applicable), add your BOC-3 filing order to your cart, and check out. But if you are a freight forwarder or broker that does not own and operate CMVs (commercial vehicles) you can file your BOC-3 yourself with a physical paper copy.
What does a BOC-3 do?
If you are a motor carrier, only a BOC-3 designation of process agent can file for you, and it must be filed online. Once the BOC-3 form has been filed electronically with the FMCSA (and any other requirements have been fulfilled), the FMCSA will issue authority. Normally, operating authority documents are sent out within 3-4 business days after authority has been granted. If 10 or more business days have passed since the grant date, and you have not yet received the operating authority document, you can contact the FMCSA. You can also check whether your operating authority has been issued by visiting the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance website.
A process agent must be physically located in each state in which you are authorized to operate and be available at that address during normal business hours. Additionally, these agencies will forward any legal documents that city index minimum deposit they receive about your company, like court papers. It is crucial that you have an updated address at all times in case your processing agency sends you court proceeding papers in order to avoid a potential default judgment.
The FMCSA requires all for-hire motor carriers to designate a process agent in each state in which they operate by completing a BOC-3 form. If there are any changes in your designated process agents or their contact information, you must promptly update the FMCSA. Failure to do so may result in non-compliance and potential legal consequences. In most cases, it’s going to be easiest for you to do this with a “Blanket Legal Entity,” which is essentially a company that can represent you in all 50 states, leaving you free to operate your business as you wish. This is also the most cost-effective way to move forward, as you don’t have to waste time finding different BOC-3 agents and paying their various fees.
This is why a processing agent is needed to handle any documentation sent by the government to notify those who are on the road. Additionally, if your trucking authority changed its name, had a transfer of authority, or reinstatement of MC operating authority, you are required to refile the BOC-3 Form with this updated information. Name changes, transfer of authority, or reinstatement of your motor carrier operating authority may lead to a BOC-3 needing to be refiled.
BOC-3 process agents are representatives authorized to receive government and legal documents on behalf of motor carriers hauling loads from state to state. When choosing the right process agent service company to represent your trucking company, make sure they are FMCSA-certified or your operating authority may be in jeopardy. The BOC-3 form is a FMCSA requirement for interstate for-hire transportation companies. The BOC-3 form filing serves as a means for the public to be able to reach you if you are involved in court proceedings. A process agent is a representative whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier or freight forwarder. The agent will accept the served court papers, which in turn, forward them to you by certified mail.