BOC-3
A BOC-3 is a federal filing that designates a process agent in each state to receive legal documents on a carrier's behalf - required to activate operating authority.
A BOC-3 is the federal filing that designates a process agent – someone authorized to receive legal documents on your behalf – in each state where you operate. FMCSA requires a BOC-3 on file before it will activate your operating authority.
Why it matters: no BOC-3, no active authority. You cannot file it yourself for all states in practice; you use a blanket process-agent service, which typically costs around $75 one-time. It is a small, easy step – but a missing BOC-3 is a common reason a new carrier’s authority stalls. Most operators file it at the same time they apply for their MC number. See FMCSA on process agents.