Registered office and registered agent of foreign corporation.

(1) Each foreign corporation authorized to conduct its affairs in this state must continuously maintain in this state:

(a) A registered office that may be the same as any of the places it conducts its affairs; and

(b) A registered agent, who may be:

1. An individual who resides in this state and whose business office is identical with the 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) Each initial registered agent, and each successor registered agent appointed pursuant to s. 617.1508 on whom process may be served 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. Such statement of acceptance shall state that the registered agent is familiar with, and accepts, the obligations of that position.

(3) The duties of a registered agent are:

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

(b) If the registered agent resigns, to provide the statement required under s. 617.1509 to the foreign corporation at the address most recently supplied to the registered agent by the foreign corporation.

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

(5) A foreign corporation may not prosecute or maintain any action in a court in this state until the foreign corporation complies with this section, pays to the department the amounts required by 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.

(6) A court may stay a proceeding commenced by a foreign corporation until the corporation complies with this section.