Secretary of State
Registered Agent RelationshipSecretary of State is an official in the state governments of
the states within the United States. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia, this official is called the Secretary of the Commonwealth. In
the states of Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah, there is no Secretary of State;
in those states many duties that a Secretary of State might normally
execute fall within the domain of the Lieutenant Governor. Like the
Lieutenant Governor, in most states the Secretary of State is in the
line of succession to succeed the governor, usually immediately behind
the Lieutenant Governor. In those states with no Lieutenant Governor,
such as Arizona, the Secretary of State is sometimes first in the
line of succession in the event of a gubernatorial vacancy.
Currently, in 35 states, such as California, Illinois, and Mississippi,
the Secretary of State is elected at the general election, usually for a
four-year term. In others, the Secretary of State is appointed by the
governor; Florida[3], Oklahoma, and Texas are amongst the states with
this practice. In at least two states, the Secretary of State is elected
by the state legislature; the General Assembly of Tennessee meets in
joint convention to elect the Secretary of State to a four-year term,
and the Maine Legislature also selects the Secretary of State, but to a
two-year term.
Most Secretaries of State or those acting in such capability (with the
exception of Wisconsin and Hawaii) belong to the National Association of
Secretaries of State.
The actual duties of a state’s Secretary of State vary greatly from
state to state. In most states, the Secretary of State’s office is a
creation of the original draft of the state constitution. However, in
many cases responsibilities have been added by statute or executive
order.
It is the Secretary of State that most corporate - business entities
associate with to establish a formal and official registered agent
address and contact information.
To serve legal process or deliver any legal document upon a Registered Agent
or business anywhere in America,
please contact us at 561. 447. 7838. Or, email us at
Serve Legal Process upon Registered
Agent.
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