Florida Statutes
Fla. Stat. § 48.081 (2025)
Service on a domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation.
✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session
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148.081 Service on a domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation.—
(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.
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.
1Note.—Section 5, ch. 2025-13, provides:
“(1) The amendments made to chapter 48, Florida Statutes, by chapter 2022-190, Laws of Florida, apply to causes of action that accrued on or after January 2, 2023, and to all causes of action that accrued before January 2, 2023, for which service of process was effectuated on or after January 2, 2023.
“(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), any service of process that occurred between January 2, 2023, and October 1, 2025, which has not been invalidated by a court, is valid if such service complied with either chapter 48, Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 2022-190, Laws of Florida, or the laws governing service of process in effect before January 2, 2023, which would have applied in the absence of chapter 2022-190, Laws of Florida.
“(3) The amendments made by this act apply to all service of process made or effectuated on or after October 1, 2025, regardless of whether the cause of action accrued before, on, or after October 1, 2025.
“(4) This section does not extend or modify the time for challenging the validity of any service of process and does not revive any ability to challenge the validity of service of process which has previously been waived.”
Note.—Former s. 47.17.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 217
cases (74 in the last 5 years), 1968–2026 · leading case: Mecca Multimedia, Inc. v. Kurzbard, 954 So. 2d 1179 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007).
Mecca Multimedia, Inc. v. Kurzbard, 954 So. 2d 1179 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). “Consequently, having had difficulty in effecting service on Mecca pursuant to section 48.081, Florida Statutes, Kurzbard availed himself of one of Florida's long-arm statutes and served Mecca by substituted service on Florida's Secretary of State.”
White v. Pepsico, Inc., 568 So. 2d 886 (Fla. 1990). “091(1) [1983] conferred upon a court personal jurisdiction over a foreign corporation without a showing that a connection existed between the cause of action and the corporation's activities in Florida.”
Bank of Am., N.A. v. Bornstein, 39 So. 3d 500 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010). “§ 48.081, Fla. Stat. (2009). Section 655.”
Nat'l Saf. Assoc., Inc. v. Allstate Ins. Co., 799 So. 2d 316 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001). “NSA argues that service was invalid because it did not comply with section 48.081(1), Florida Statutes (1997).”
Hobbs v. Don Mealey Chevrolet, Inc., 642 So. 2d 1149 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994). “Further, section 48.081 specifically provides that it "does not apply to service of process on insurance companies," such as AFSLIC.”
Sierra Holding v. Inn Keepers Supply Co., 464 So. 2d 652 (Fla. 4th DCA 1985). “Drago for failure of appellee to comply with section 48.081, Florida Statutes. Appellant also moved to dismiss or abate the action on the ground that appellee, a foreign corporation, had not qualified to do business in Florida as required by section 607.”
Top Dollar Pawn Too, Inc. v. King, 861 So. 2d 1264 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003). “Third, service on a domestic corporation may be effectuated only by complying with section 48.081, Florida Statutes (2002). Section 48.”
Dade Erection Serv. v. Sims Crane Serv., 379 So. 2d 423 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980). “She did not indicate, nor did the deputy attempt to ascertain, if she held any office or position in the corporation described in Section 48.081. His return of no corporate service indicates he did not serve her in any capacity described in that statute.”
Volkswagenwerk, Etc. v. Mccurdy, 340 So. 2d 544 (Fla. 1st DCA 1976). “Section 1399 (e)) and F.S. § 48.081(1). The action is based upon an automobile collision which occurred on October 30, 1974.”
Youngblood v. Citrus Assoc. of NY Cotton Exch., Inc., 276 So. 2d 505 (Fla. 4th DCA 1973). “[3] Appellants contend that service of process may be sustained under Florida Statute § 48.081 or § 48.182 (1971), F.S.A. We deal first with appellants' contention that service is sustainable under Florida Statute § 48.”
Intern. Steel Truss Co. v. Artec Grp., Inc., 824 So. 2d 340 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002). “We reverse because service of process on International Steel's former employee failed to satisfy the requirements of section 48.081, Florida Statutes (2001). The Artec Group, Inc.”
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC v. Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Co., 162 So. 3d 1058 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015). “With that in mind, we look to section 48.081, Florida Statutes (2013), which provides the method for service of process on a corporation.”
— 48.081(1) — 30 cases
Nat'l Saf. Assoc., Inc. v. Allstate Ins. Co., 799 So. 2d 316 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001). “NSA argues that service was invalid because it did not comply with section 48.081(1), Florida Statutes (1997).”
Volkswagenwerk, Etc. v. Mccurdy, 340 So. 2d 544 (Fla. 1st DCA 1976). “Section 1399 (e)) and F.S. § 48.081(1). The action is based upon an automobile collision which occurred on October 30, 1974.”
Youngblood v. Citrus Assoc. of NY Cotton Exch., Inc., 276 So. 2d 505 (Fla. 4th DCA 1973). “[3] Appellants contend that service of process may be sustained under Florida Statute § 48.081 or § 48.182 (1971), F.S.A. We deal first with appellants' contention that service is sustainable under Florida Statute § 48.”
Dade Erection Serv. v. Sims Crane Serv., 379 So. 2d 423 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980). “She did not indicate, nor did the deputy attempt to ascertain, if she held any office or position in the corporation described in Section 48.081. His return of no corporate service indicates he did not serve her in any capacity described in that statute.”
Robles-Martinez v. Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP, 88 So. 3d 177 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).
— 48.081(1)(a) — 3 cases
Stewart v. Julana Dev. Corp., 678 So. 2d 1385 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996).
Verabella Falls Condo., Ass'n, Inc. v. Sosa, 77 So. 3d 815 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012).
Yasmin v. Triple T II, Inc. (M.D. Fla. 2020).
— 48.081(1)(b) — 1 case
Wash. Capital Corp. v. Milandco, 665 So. 2d 375 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996).
— 48.081(1)(c) — 3 cases
Bernardele v. Bonorino, 608 F. Supp. 2d 1313 (S.D. Fla. 2009).
Serviquim Ca, Etc. v. Manuchar Nv, Etc. (Fla. 3d DCA 2023).
Int'l Univ. of Health Sciences, Ltd. v. John Abeles & Peter Gleeson (Fla. 4th DCA 2020).
— 48.081(1)(d) — 7 cases
Volkswagenwerk, Etc. v. Mccurdy, 340 So. 2d 544 (Fla. 1st DCA 1976). “Section 1399 (e)) and F.S. § 48.081(1). The action is based upon an automobile collision which occurred on October 30, 1974.”
Dade Erection Serv. v. Sims Crane Serv., 379 So. 2d 423 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980). “She did not indicate, nor did the deputy attempt to ascertain, if she held any office or position in the corporation described in Section 48.081. His return of no corporate service indicates he did not serve her in any capacity described in that statute.”
Intern. Steel Truss Co. v. Artec Grp., Inc., 824 So. 2d 340 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002). “We reverse because service of process on International Steel's former employee failed to satisfy the requirements of section 48.081, Florida Statutes (2001). The Artec Group, Inc.”
Sunseeker Int'l Ltd. v. Devers, 50 So. 3d 715 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010).
Int'l Univ. of Health Sciences, Ltd. v. John Abeles & Peter Gleeson (Fla. 4th DCA 2020).
— 48.081(2) — 7 cases
Navas Bar & Grill, Inc., D/B/A 1701 Restaurant & Lounge v. Tapias (Fla. 2d DCA 2025).
Navas Bar & Grill, Inc., D/B/A 1701 Restaurant & Lounge v. Tapias (Fla. 2d DCA 2025).
Sol Meliá, S.A. v. Fontana, 67 So. 3d 1226 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).
Receivable Funding Corp. v. Barnett Bank of South Florida, N.A., 587 So. 2d 1188 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991).
Garcia v. Consum. Credit Union (S.D. Fla. 2024).
— 48.081(3) — 37 cases
White v. Pepsico, Inc., 568 So. 2d 886 (Fla. 1990). “091(1) [1983] conferred upon a court personal jurisdiction over a foreign corporation without a showing that a connection existed between the cause of action and the corporation's activities in Florida.”
Hobbs v. Don Mealey Chevrolet, Inc., 642 So. 2d 1149 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994). “Further, section 48.081 specifically provides that it "does not apply to service of process on insurance companies," such as AFSLIC.”
Sierra Holding v. Inn Keepers Supply Co., 464 So. 2d 652 (Fla. 4th DCA 1985). “Drago for failure of appellee to comply with section 48.081, Florida Statutes. Appellant also moved to dismiss or abate the action on the ground that appellee, a foreign corporation, had not qualified to do business in Florida as required by section 607.”
Top Dollar Pawn Too, Inc. v. King, 861 So. 2d 1264 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003). “Third, service on a domestic corporation may be effectuated only by complying with section 48.081, Florida Statutes (2002). Section 48.”
Rose's Stores, Inc. v. Cherry, 526 So. 2d 749 (Fla. 5th DCA 1988).
— 48.081(3)(a) — 22 cases
Mecca Multimedia, Inc. v. Kurzbard, 954 So. 2d 1179 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). “Consequently, having had difficulty in effecting service on Mecca pursuant to section 48.081, Florida Statutes, Kurzbard availed himself of one of Florida's long-arm statutes and served Mecca by substituted service on Florida's Secretary of State.”
Empire Beauty Salon v. Com. Loan Solutions IV, LLC, 159 So. 3d 136 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014).
Ulloa v. CMI, Inc., 133 So. 3d 914 (Fla. 2013).
Suntrust Bank v. Elec. Wireless Corp., 23 So. 3d 774 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).
SDS-IC v. Florida Concentrates Int'l, LLC, 157 So. 3d 389 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015).
— 48.081(3)(b) — 2 cases
Garrido v. Fiscella (M.D. Fla. 2021).
Sanchez v. Marra Constr., Inc. (M.D. Fla. 2021).
— 48.081(4) — 1 case
Hobbs v. Don Mealey Chevrolet, Inc., 642 So. 2d 1149 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994). “Further, section 48.081 specifically provides that it "does not apply to service of process on insurance companies," such as AFSLIC.”
— 48.081(4)(b) — 1 case
New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., Etc. v. City First Mortg. Corp., Etc. (Fla. 3d DCA 2025).
— 48.081(5) — 11 cases
Universal Caribbean Estab. v. Bard, 543 So. 2d 447 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989).
White v. Pepsico, Inc., 568 So. 2d 886 (Fla. 1990). “091(1) [1983] conferred upon a court personal jurisdiction over a foreign corporation without a showing that a connection existed between the cause of action and the corporation's activities in Florida.”
City Contract Bus Serv., Inc. v. Woody, 515 So. 2d 1354 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC v. Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Co., 162 So. 3d 1058 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015). “With that in mind, we look to section 48.081, Florida Statutes (2013), which provides the method for service of process on a corporation.”
Donnelly v. Kellogg Co., 293 F. Supp. 53 (S.D. Fla. 1968).
— 48.081(5)(b) — 1 case
Leister v. Legal Action Bureau, Inc. (M.D. Fla. 2024).
— 48.081(7) — 1 case
Green v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n (M.D. Fla. 2024).
— 48.081(l) — 1 case
Golden State Indus., Inc. v. Cueto, 883 So. 2d 817 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004).
— 48.081(l)(a) — 5 cases
Lance Koster v. Carol Sullivan, 160 So. 3d 385 (Fla. 2015).
Daniels v. Vann ex rel. Liberated Lady, Inc., 396 So. 2d 723 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981).
Verabella Falls Condo., Ass'n, Inc. v. Sosa, 77 So. 3d 815 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012).
Intertrans Navigation, Inc. v. Seguros St. Paul de Venezuela, C.A., 576 So. 2d 419 (Fla. 3d DCA 1991).
Ugarit Corp. v. Sun Holdings Ltd., 522 So. 2d 1034 (Fla. 3d DCA 1988).
— 48.081(l)(b) — 1 case
Intertrans Navigation, Inc. v. Seguros St. Paul de Venezuela, C.A., 576 So. 2d 419 (Fla. 3d DCA 1991).
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