OPERATING AUTHORITY

How to get a BOC-3 filed

A BOC-3 names process agents who can receive legal documents for the company. Most motor carriers use a blanket process-agent company that files electronically with FMCSA.

TIME: Ask the provider for its filing turnaround and verify the federal record afterward

COST: The private provider sets the fee—confirm the one-time and any ongoing charges before ordering

Last reviewed August 21, 2026

Before you start

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Exact legal business name

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Principal business address

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USDOT and MC numbers when assigned

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Company contact information

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Operating-authority application details

Get it done

Use FMCSA's process-agent list

Choose a blanket company or otherwise ensure there is an agent in every jurisdiction required for the operation.

Give the provider exact company information

A mismatch in legal name, address, or authority number can delay the filing or attach it to the wrong record.

Authorize the filing

For a motor carrier, the process agent files the BOC-3 electronically with FMCSA. Follow the provider's payment and authorization process.

Verify FMCSA received it

Do not rely only on the provider's order receipt. Confirm that the filing appears in the federal record or the authority process advances.

Keep a copy at the business

Retain the filed BOC-3 and provider information at the principal place of business.

Refile when the designation changes

If the process-agent arrangement changes, complete the replacement filing instead of merely editing an internal contact list.

GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE

View FMCSA's process-agent list →

What to save when you finish

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Filed BOC-3 copy

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Provider receipt

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Process-agent company contact information

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Confirmation in the FMCSA record

A BOC-3 does not create operating authority by itself. It is one part of the authority process, along with the application, insurance filing, and other applicable requirements.

Filing it is the easy part. Remembering the next one is what gets people.

When the document is finished, save the completion date and next deadline in We Heart Paperwork.

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Understand the requirement

OFFICIAL SOURCES

FMCSA — Form BOC-3 designation of process agents

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