--- title: Origin Agent Meaning | Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/origin-agent/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Origin agent # What is an origin agent? An origin agent is the local moving company that handles the start of a long-distance move, doing the survey, packing and loading at the home you are leaving. Federal rules (49 CFR 375.205) require written agreements between a carrier and its prime agents, kept for at least 24 months. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) A van line is a national brand, and the people at your door are usually a local agent working under that brand. When you move out of Northern Nevada with a Bekins agent, the origin agent is the Sparks crew you meet first. ## What the agent does at the start Everything in those steps happens at the old address, before any miles are driven. - Surveys your belongings in person or by video and prepares the written estimate. - Explains valuation, the paperwork and the pickup dates. - Packs the goods if packing is ordered and prepares the inventory. - Loads the truck and has you sign the bill of lading at origin. ## What the regulation says A household goods agent, in the rule's terms, is either a prime agent, which provides or sells transportation service on the carrier's behalf under an agreement, or an emergency or temporary agent. The carrier must have signed written agreements with its prime agents and keep them at least 24 months after they end. FMCSA's booklet gives the plain version: an agent is a local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger national company. ## The bill of lading at origin The bill of lading must be signed at both origin and destination, and before the vehicle leaves your residence it must be in the hands of the driver responsible for the shipment. The origin agent's job is to see that the paper is complete before the truck pulls away. That paper names any other carriers who will take part in the transportation, when known, with their USDOT numbers. ## O'Brien's at the origin O'Brien's has been a Bekins Van Lines agent since 1955. For a move leaving Northern Nevada, the estimate, packing and loading happen in your home with O'Brien's crew, and the Bekins network carries the shipment onward. The office holds U.S. DOT No. 30611 and MC-109375. Bekins was founded in 1891, and O'Brien's received Bekins' 65 Years of Service recognition in 2019. Ask for an in-home estimate at 775-359-6683. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.205](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-B/subject-group-ECFR26b58a956b3b018/section-375.205) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.505](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR678dd6dec294449/section-375.505) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - [Destination agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/destination-agent/) - [Booking agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/booking-agent/) - [Bekins Van Lines agent since 1955: what that means for your move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/bekins-agent/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Destination agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/destination-agent/) - [Booking agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/booking-agent/) - [Hauling agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/hauling-agent/) - [Van line](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/van-line/) - [Cube sheet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/cube-sheet/) - [Delivery spread](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/delivery-spread/) - [Pickup spread](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/pickup-spread/) - [Tariff](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/tariff/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is the origin agent the same company as the destination agent? Not always. Different local companies in the same network can handle each end of a long-distance move. ### Who do I call during the move? Your estimator and the booking office are the first calls, and the written estimate lists the contact details. ### Does the origin agent weigh the shipment? Weighing follows the carrier's procedures on certified scales, and you have the right to observe it. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) M Mike K. August 30, 2019 The best customer service ever! ### Owner's reply Thanks Mike we sincerely appreciate you and your business! P Patrick R. September 19, 2026 The two gentlemen that helped me move today were very Helpful and professional! T Tommy B. August 21, 2026 Great local business. Very family oriented with highly knowledgeable staff with remarkable employees going the extra mile. If you need a moving service for any reason, go here. ### Owner's reply Thanks Tommy appreciate you giving us a review. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070