A BOC-3 is a required federal filing that designates process agents in every U.S. state where a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder operates. Process agents are authorized individuals or companies that can receive legal documents—such as court papers or official notices—on behalf of the business.
The FMCSA requires all carriers and brokers to file a BOC-3 before operating authority can be activated. This filing must be completed by an FMCSA-approved process agent service, not by the applicant directly (except for brokers with no vehicles).
Submitting the BOC-3 ensures the FMCSA and courts have a reliable point of contact for legal matters, helping maintain compliance and allowing the business’s operating authority to become active.
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