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If a new business owner decides to incorporate, he or she must file articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State. Business owners can also dissolve the LLC, file a judgment lien document, and file documents for a limited partnership, partnership, or nonprofit corporation through the Secretary of State. Most states allow business owners to file these and other documents online. To create an LLC, a business owner must file their articles of organization with their Secretary of State and pay the required filing fee. LLC formation requires interaction with the Secretary of State’s office. Users can often search by name, registered agent, owner name, or other criteria to view documents filed with the department. Many states offer online tools to conduct a business search. New businesses can check business name availability and reserve a business name through the Secretary of State’s office. These state offices process, file, and maintain records related to business entities. When you start a business, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation, the Secretary of State’s office, sometimes called the Department of State, registers and authenticates business entities and trademarks. How is the Secretary of State involved in business formation? He or she implements electronic filing and Internet disclosure of campaign and lobbyist financial information. In addition to acting as record keeper for a wide range of documents, the Secretary of State serves as the state’s chief elections officer. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, the position is called the Secretary of the Commonwealth. states, as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. Secretary of State is fourth in line to succeed the Presidency.Īt the state level, the Secretary of State is a state government official in 47 of the 50 U.S. Secretary of State, as the head of the State Department, administers United States Embassies and their subsidiary units worldwide. The United States Secretary of State executes nonmilitary and non-Homeland Security aspects of foreign policy.
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The Secretary of State has very different roles at the state and federal level.
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