§ 48.081, Fla. Stat. · Chapter 48. PROCESS AND SERVICE OF PROCESS
Service on a domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation.
Text — 2026 Florida Statutes
(1) As used in this section, the term “registered foreign corporation” means a foreign corporation that has an active certificate of authority to transact business in this state pursuant to a record filed with the Department of State.
(2) A domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation may be served with process required or authorized by law by service on its registered agent designated by the corporation under chapter 607 or chapter 617, as applicable.
(3) If service cannot be made on a registered agent of the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation because the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation ceases to have a registered agent, or if the registered agent of the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation cannot otherwise be served after one good faith attempt because of a failure to comply with this chapter, chapter 607, or chapter 617, as applicable, the process may be served on either of the following:
(a) The chair of the board of directors, the president, any vice president, the secretary, or the treasurer of the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation.
(b) Any person listed publicly by the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation on its latest annual report, as most recently amended.
(4) If, after due diligence, the process cannot be completed under subsection (2) and if either:
(a) The only person listed publicly by the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation on its latest annual report, as most recently amended, is also the registered agent on whom service was attempted under subsection (2); or
(b) After due diligence, service was attempted on at least one person listed publicly by the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation on its latest annual report, as most recently amended, and cannot be completed on such person under subsection (3),
the process may be served as provided in s. 48.161 on the Secretary of State as an agent of the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation or by order of the court under s. 48.102.
(5) If the address for the registered agent or any person listed publicly by the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation on its latest annual report, as most recently amended, is a residence, a private mailbox, a virtual office, or an executive office or mini suite, service on the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation may be made by serving any of the following:
(a) The registered agent of the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation, in accordance with s. 48.031.
(b) Any person listed publicly by the domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation on its latest annual report, as most recently amended, in accordance with s. 48.031.
(c) Any person serving in one of the positions specified in paragraph (3)(a), in accordance with s. 48.031.
(6) A foreign corporation engaging in business in this state which is not registered is considered, for purposes of service of process, a nonresident engaging in business in this state and may be served pursuant to s. 48.181 or by order of the court under s. 48.102.
(7) This section does not apply to service of process on insurance companies.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
s. 8, Nov. 21, 1829; s. 2, Feb. 11, 1834; s. 1, ch. 3590, 1885; RS 1019; GS 1406; s. 1, ch. 6908, 1915; s. 1, ch. 7752, 1918; RGS 2604; CGL 4251; s. 1, ch. 57-97; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 59-46; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 67-399; s. 6, ch. 79-396; s. 7, ch. 83-216; s. 1, ch. 84-2; s. 2, ch. 2004-273; s. 3, ch. 2011-159; s. 3, ch. 2014-207; s. 3, ch. 2016-207; s. 5, ch. 2022-190.
Note
Note.—Former s. 47.17.
Source of truth
- Edition
- 2026 Florida Statutes
- Official file
- https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0048/0048.html
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This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
The Florida Statutes
- § 48.031, Fla. Stat.Service of process generally; service of witness subpoenas.Printed as s. 48.031
- § 48.102, Fla. Stat.Service by other means.Printed as s. 48.102
- § 48.161, Fla. Stat.Method of substituted service on certain parties in care of the Secretary of State.Printed as s. 48.161
- § 48.181, Fla. Stat.Substituted service on nonresidents and foreign business entities engaging in business in state or concealing their whereabouts.Printed as s. 48.181
Cited by 7 provisions
Provisions in this library whose text cites § 48.081, Fla. Stat.. Each shows the citation as that text prints it.
The Florida Statutes
- § 48.091, Fla. Stat.Partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies; designation of registered agent and registered office.Printed as ss. 48.081 and 48.062
- § 48.101, Fla. Stat.Service on domestic dissolved corporations, dissolved limited liability companies, dissolved limited partnerships, dissolved limited liability partnerships, and business organizations in receivership.Printed as s. 48.081; s. 48.081(2); s. 48.081(3)
- § 448.25, Fla. Stat.Remedies; damages; costs.Printed as s. 48.081
- § 607.0504, Fla. Stat.Serving process, giving notice, or making a demand on a corporation.Printed as s. 48.081
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.