Who Needs a BOC-3 Filing?

Check to make sure your BOC-3 filing provider is on this list of certified providers by the FMCSA. Some charge an annual fee plus per-document charges, while others bill a one-time BOC filing fee. It is required that an authorized party file Form BOC-3 with the FMCSA if there is a change in a carrier’s designation.

Can I File My Own BOC-3 Form?

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. 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. 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.

Brokers

Failing to file a BOC-3 form in these instances can result in delays or even the denial of operating authority. Finally, look for additional services such as annual report filings to ensure that your filings are always accurate and on-time in the state where it’s due. Companies may appoint a process agent for individual states or work with a blanket process company. A blanket company has a process agent that they work with in each state. At Vallon Consulting, we provide top-notch BOC-3 filing services to transportation businesses. Our team of experts is well-versed in the regulations of BOC-3 filing, and we are here to help you navigate the process effortlessly.

In many cases, you are legally required to elect process agents to act on your behalf, so yes, you do. Even if you aren’t, working with FMCSA BOC-3 process agents is a good idea. 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. No, you cannot file your own BOC-3 Form if you operate an interstate business.

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Part of filing to get your trucking authority also includes filing your BOC-3. The BOC-3 stands for Blanket of Coverage and designates an agent for your company that can file legal documents on your behalf. The BOC-3 and choosing the right processing agent is important because you need someone to trust when handling notifications from the government, especially if your company is facing legal action. As a freight forwarder or broker, you can file Form BOC-3 on your own behalf. 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).

The processing agency is essentially a permanent address for FMCSA in order to send legal documents to the trucking company. Each state where you operate must have its own designated agent, or you can appoint a blanket company with a blanket designation to cover all states. The agent essentially acts as your company’s legal presence in each jurisdiction. Only a process agent can file Form BOC-3 on behalf of a motor carrier.

You can file your own BOC-3 if you are a broker or a freight forwarder, but you do have to file for each primary state of operation. And, you cannot file for yourself if you are planning on driving a truck for your company. Once it’s filed, you must keep a copy of the form at your principal place of business so you have a copy that proves you’ve allowed that agent to work on your behalf. Here are a few other commonly asked questions about the BOC-3 and processing agents.

Correspondence with the FMCSA

BOC-3 filing is an important step in becoming a trucking authority and is crucial when it comes to receiving legal documentation. These processing agencies are designed to help trucking authorities navigate through their legal documents and assist when needed. Once you choose your BOC-3 process agent, you must pay their fees and whatever else they require from you. Once you do so, they often file the form within a couple of business days. FCCR is a licensed Process Service Agency and registered agent service that provides complete BOC-3 coverage in all 50 states. As a blanket company, we simplify your compliance across multiple states and ensure nothing gets missed.

• Ensure you follow the instructions and attach any supporting documents, such as the agent’s written consent to serve as your process agent.
• It also pays to have agents who are available during all business hours with a discreet address that protects your privacy and keeps process servers away from your business.
• Typically, an agent completes the BOC-3 filing for you, but we’ll talk more about that later.
• This means that should you receive a summons, complaint, or another form of legal communication; they will receive that information first.
• This article breaks down the meaning of BOC-3, how it works, who needs it, and why it’s an essential requirement for maintaining compliance in the trucking industry.

A part of filing to become a trucking authority includes a section about the BOC-3 Form. Under federal law, the completion of this form is essential for those who want to become an operating trucking authority. Every business that operates commercial vehicles across state lines must file a BOC-3 before it can legally begin operations. This filing is also essential if you’re reinstating a previously revoked authority. In a nutshell, a BOC-3 filling is vital for transportation businesses. Therefore, if you wish to get up and running you’ll need to file this form.

If the BOC-3 is not filed within 90 days of applying for authority, your FMCSA application will be dismissed, and your fees may be forfeited. That said, your company is responsible for keeping the BOC-3 up to date. If your process agent cannot be reached or their information is outdated, you may be considered non-compliant. If you’re a freight broker tired of prospects promising business but never following through, our comprehensive guide is here to help. Learn effective strategies and proven techniques to transform potential prospects into customers.

Additionally, BOC-3 filings are required to obtain and maintain operating authority licenses from the FMCSA. As the name suggests, interstate movers are involved in transporting goods across state lines. Whether it is a residential or commercial move, these movers must file a BOC-3 form and designate a process agent in each state in which they operate. This ensures that they can be held accountable for any legal obligations or issues that may arise Business Secrets from the Bible during the moving process.

To help you get started, here is everything you need to know about BOC-3 filing. Let FCCR take care of the legal side, so you can focus on running your business. We’re based in Garden City, Idaho, but we support carriers nationwide with dependable, accurate service.

By choosing our BOC-3 filing services, you can benefit from our expertise and experience in handling the necessary paperwork and documentation. We will assist you in selecting qualified process agents, completing the BOC-3 form accurately, and ensuring all requirements are met. After you have electronically filed the BOC-3 form with the FMCSA and provided all necessary supporting documentation, you can expect to receive your operating authority within 3-4 business days. However, it is recommended that you get a processing agency for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The cost of doing so usually includes a filing fee, a fee for the number of states filed in, and an annual fee of a processing agency for your trucking authority. The filing process for BOC-3 involves selecting a process agent for each state and having them file a Form BOC-3 on your behalf with the FMCSA.

• The purpose of BOC-3 filing is to designate process agents in each state where a trucking company operates.
• Another factor that affects the cost of process agents is their fee structure.
• A blanket company has a process agent that they work with in each state.

Only FMCSA-approved process agents can submit the form electronically. If you want more help starting your company, get in touch with one of the coaches at Motor Carrier HQ. We can create a custom gameplan for your business, including helping you get your operating authority, pass the new entrant safety audit, and much more. In order to ensure that risks are minimized and that your business operations remain uninterrupted, transportation companies must make sure they abide by the laws of the state in which they operate. A BOC-3 form is a way for carriers to prove that they are doing just that. In no more than 72 hours, we’ll file your BOC-3 agent processing form and you’ll soon receive your documentation.

Additionally, these agencies will forward any legal documents that 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. BOC-3 stands for “Blanket of Coverage” and refers to the federal form filed with the FMCSA to designate process agents across the U.S.