Registered office and registered agent.

(1) Each corporation shall have and continuously maintain in this state:

(a) A registered office which may be the same as its principal office; and

(b) A registered agent, who may be:

1. An individual who resides in this state whose business office is identical to such registered office;

2. Another domestic entity that is an authorized entity whose business address is identical to the address of the registered office; or

3. A foreign entity authorized to transact business in this state that is an authorized entity and whose business address is identical to the address of the registered office.

(2) This section does not apply to corporations which are required by law to designate the Chief Financial Officer as their attorney for the service of process.

(3) Each initial registered agent, and each successor registered agent that is appointed, shall file a statement in writing with the department, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, accepting the appointment as a registered agent while simultaneously being designated as the registered agent. The statement of acceptance must provide that the registered agent is familiar with, and accepts, the obligations of that position.

(4) The duties of a registered agent are:

(a) To forward to the corporation, at the address most recently supplied to the registered agent by the corporation, a process, notice, or demand pertaining to the corporation which is served on or received by the registered agent; and

(b) If the registered agent resigns, to provide the notice required under s. 617.0502 to the corporation at the address most recently supplied to the registered agent by the corporation.

(5) The Department of State shall maintain an accurate record of the registered agents and registered offices for the service of process and shall furnish any information disclosed thereby promptly upon request and payment of the required fee.

(6) A corporation may not prosecute or maintain any action in a court in this state until the corporation complies with this section or s. 617.1508, as applicable; pays to the department any amounts required under this chapter; and, to the extent ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, pays to the department a penalty of $5 for each day it has failed to so comply or $500, whichever is less. A court may stay a proceeding commenced by a corporation until the corporation complies with this section.