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BOC-3 Filing, Done Today

$30flat · No annual fee

Order by 5 PM ET on a business day and we file it the same day.

Numbers only. We'll pull your company details for you.

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BOC-3 Agents is a private filing service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of FMCSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation. You may file a BOC-3 yourself through a process agent of your choice.

How BOC-3 filing works

  1. Enter your USDOT number

    We pull your legal name, address, and MC/MX/FF number from FMCSA's public registration data, so you don't have to type it all.

  2. Confirm your company details

    Check that everything matches, add your contact info, and add any other filings you need, like UCR.

  3. Pay $30 and we file

    Your BOC-3 is filed through an FMCSA-registered blanket process agent. We email you once it shows on your FMCSA record.

What is a BOC-3?

A BOC-3 is the FMCSA form that names your process agents: the people who can accept court papers for your company if someone files a legal action against you. The full name is "Designation of Agents for Service of Process."

You need an agent in each state where you operate. Most carriers and brokers don't find one per state. They use a blanket process agent, a company that has filed a list of agents for every state and DC with FMCSA. One BOC-3 filed through a blanket agent covers the whole country.

Only one BOC-3 can be on file for your company at a time. When you use a blanket agent, the agent submits the form to FMCSA for you. You don't upload anything yourself.

There is no government fee for filing a BOC-3. What you pay a filing service covers the process agent coverage and the filing work.

Who needs a BOC-3?

You need a BOC-3 if you have, or are applying for, FMCSA operating authority as one of these:

For-hire motor carriers

Trucking companies and owner-operators hauling freight or passengers for pay under an MC or MX number. This includes new carriers waiting for their authority to go active.

Freight brokers

Property brokers must name process agents in each state where they have an office or write contracts. A blanket BOC-3 covers this. Brokers need a BOC-3 for broker authority even with no trucks.

Freight forwarders

Companies holding freight forwarder (FF) authority file a BOC-3 just like carriers and brokers.

Who usually does not need one

  • Private (not-for-hire) carriers that only haul their own goods. FMCSA currently requires a process agent designation only from for-hire carriers.
  • Intrastate-only carriers that never need interstate operating authority.
  • Not sure which you are? Call us before you order. We'll tell you honestly if you don't need it.

BOC-3 and your MC authority

If you just applied for operating authority, your MC number exists but stays inactive. You can't haul under it until FMCSA has your BOC-3 and, where required, your proof of insurance on file. Here is the usual order of events:

  1. You apply for authority

    You get a USDOT number and an MC, MX, or FF docket number. The authority shows as pending, not active.

  2. Your BOC-3 is filed

    This is the part we handle. The blanket process agent submits your BOC-3 to FMCSA, and it appears on your record once FMCSA processes it.

  3. Your insurance is filed

    Your insurance company files proof of coverage with FMCSA (Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X for most for-hire carriers). Brokers file a BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund agreement. We don't sell insurance, and insurance filings aren't part of our fee.

  4. FMCSA activates your authority

    When everything required is on file and any waiting period has passed, FMCSA grants your authority and it shows as active.

Authority still inactive after your BOC-3 is filed?

  • Check that the BOC-3 shows on your record. If it doesn't yet, it may still be processing.
  • Check that your insurance filing (or broker bond) is on file and active. This is the most common hold-up.
  • Make sure any waiting period on a new application has ended.
  • If all of that is in place and it's still inactive, contact FMCSA. We're happy to look at your record with you first.

MOTUS

MOTUS is FMCSA's new USDOT registration system. Your BOC-3 status shows there once your record is updated. You can log in to MOTUS to see your filings, or enter your USDOT number above and we'll show you what's on file.

Changing process agents or reinstating authority

Switching to a new process agent

You can change process agents at any time. Because only one BOC-3 can be on file, a new BOC-3 filed through a new agent replaces the old one on your record.

Some carriers switch because their old agent charges an annual renewal fee or never confirmed the filing. Our $30 is one time, with no renewal fee.

Reinstating revoked authority

If your authority was revoked (for example, after an insurance lapse or a missing BOC-3), FMCSA generally needs a current BOC-3 and insurance on file before reinstating it.

We file the BOC-3 part. FMCSA charges its own reinstatement fee ($80 as listed by FMCSA), which you pay to FMCSA directly and which is not part of our price.

BOC-3 cost and add-ons

One clear price for the BOC-3, plus optional add-ons. Our service fees are listed separately from any government, lab, or state fees.

Core filing

BOC-3 filing

$30 one time

Includes

  • Blanket process agent coverage in all 50 states + DC
  • Filing with FMCSA
  • Confirmation once the filing shows on your FMCSA record
  • Forwarding of any legal documents served on the process agent
  • No annual renewal fee

Good to know

  • No government fee applies to the BOC-3
  • Insurance filings and FMCSA authority fees are not included
Start my BOC-3 – $30

Optional add-ons

UCR registration

from $100

Who needs this: Required each year for most interstate motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders. Not required for your MC authority to activate.

  • 0–2 power units$100
  • 3–5 power units$220
  • 6+ power unitsQuote
  • UCR registration for the current registration year
  • The government UCR fee for your tier is included in the price
  • 6+ power units: we'll contact you with a quote

Driver Qualification (DQ) files

from $200

Who needs this: Required for drivers of vehicles 10,001 lbs GVWR and above in interstate commerce, CDL or not.

  • 1 driver$200
  • 2 drivers$350
  • 3 drivers$450
  • 4+ driversQuote
  • Preparation of a driver qualification file per driver
  • Checklist of required documents
  • MVR, medical exam, and drug-test fees are separate
  • 4+ drivers: we'll contact you with a quote

Clearinghouse registration & setup

$100

Who needs this: Required only if you or your drivers need a CDL.

  • Clearinghouse employer registration and account setup
  • Clearinghouse query fees are separate

Drug & alcohol consortium enrollment

$150/year

Who needs this: Required only if you or your drivers need a CDL.

  • Enrollment in a drug & alcohol consortium for one year
  • Lab test fees are separate

Why file with us vs. doing it yourself

Honest answer: you can file a BOC-3 yourself through any process agent you choose. FMCSA keeps a list of registered blanket process agent companies, and prices vary. Here is what we add.

With BOC-3 Agents

  • Filed the same business day when you order during business hours
  • Your company details pulled from your USDOT number, with nothing to look up
  • A confirmation email once the filing shows on your FMCSA record
  • Help by phone in English and Spanish
  • UCR, DQ files, Clearinghouse, and consortium in one checkout if you need them

Doing it yourself

  • Pick a blanket process agent and compare their terms, including any annual fees
  • Enter your company details on their form
  • Check your FMCSA record yourself to see when the filing posts
  • Handle UCR and any other filings separately

Either way, there is no government fee for the BOC-3 itself.

BOC-3 FAQ

How much does a BOC-3 filing cost?

Our BOC-3 filing is $30, one time. There is no annual renewal fee and no government fee for the BOC-3. Add-ons like UCR are optional and priced separately.

How long does a BOC-3 take?

We file the same business day for orders received Monday–Friday before 5 PM Eastern. Orders after hours or on weekends are filed the next business day. It then shows on your FMCSA record once FMCSA processes it, and we email you when it does.

Does a BOC-3 need to be renewed every year?

No. A BOC-3 stays on file until it is replaced or your authority changes. Our $30 is one time, with no annual renewal fee.

Can I file a BOC-3 myself?

Yes. You can file through any process agent you choose. FMCSA keeps a list of registered blanket process agent companies. We're a private filing service that makes it fast and handles the paperwork for you.

Do freight brokers need a BOC-3?

Yes. Freight brokers must name process agents in each state where they have an office or write contracts. A blanket BOC-3 covers this.

Do freight forwarders need a BOC-3?

Yes. Companies with freight forwarder (FF) authority file a BOC-3 just like carriers and brokers.

Do private carriers need a BOC-3?

Generally no. FMCSA currently requires a process agent designation only from for-hire carriers. If you only haul your own goods, call us before ordering and we'll help you check.

How do I check my BOC-3 status in MOTUS?

Log in to MOTUS, FMCSA's registration system, and open your company's operating authority to see the filings on record, including your BOC-3. We also email you once your filing shows on your record.

My authority is still inactive after the BOC-3. Why?

Usually the insurance filing (or broker bond) isn't on file yet, or a waiting period on a new application hasn't ended. Check that both your BOC-3 and insurance show as active. If they do and the authority is still inactive, contact FMCSA.

Is UCR required to activate my MC authority?

No. UCR is a separate annual registration. It isn't required for your MC authority to activate, but most interstate carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders must register each year.

Can I change my process agent?

Yes, at any time. Only one BOC-3 can be on file, so a new BOC-3 filed through a new agent replaces the old one.

What happens if my company is served legal papers?

Court papers served on the process agent for your company are forwarded to you, so you can respond in time.

Do I need a BOC-3 to reinstate revoked authority?

Usually yes. FMCSA generally needs a current BOC-3 and insurance on file to reinstate authority. FMCSA's own reinstatement fee is paid to FMCSA separately.

Are you part of FMCSA?

No. BOC-3 Agents is a private filing service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of FMCSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Get your BOC-3 filed today

Enter your USDOT number to start. It takes about two minutes.

Numbers only. We'll pull your company details for you.

Call TODO_PHONE

BOC-3 Agents is a private filing service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of FMCSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation. You may file a BOC-3 yourself through a process agent of your choice.