Duties of the Secretary of State

A comprehensive guide outlining the duties and responsibilities of the Arizona Secretary of State's Office. Our annual report also outlines specific duties. View it here.

Duties of the Arizona Secretary of State	Related Web site Material
Acting Governor	Contact Administration
Serves as Acting Governor when the Governor is absent from the State. As Acting Governor, Brewer has made one Declaration of Emergency The Secretary of State, if holding office by election, is first in line to succeed the governor in the event of death, resignation, removal from office, or permanent disability to discharge the duties of the office.	Contact Administration for more information
Seal of the State of Arizona	Contact Administration
Custodian of the Great Seal of the State of the State of Arizona, A.R.S. § 41-121(3)	History of the State Seal Color State Seal - PMS colors for printing, usage and restrictions
Part of the duty of being the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Arizona is to grant or deny its use, A.R.S. § 41-130	Use of the State Seal - Restrictions
Affixes the Great Seal on all official documents, A.R.S. § 41-121(4)	Contact Administration for a list of official documents
Attests to all official acts of the Governor of the state, A.R.S. § 41-121(4)	Contact Administration for a list of official documents
Apostilles	Contact Business Services
Certifies witnessing officer on documents going to foreign countries according to the 1961 Hague Convention (apostille).	Learn how to obtain an Apostille
Arizona Administrative Rules	Contact Public Services
Files official administrative rules of state agencies and maintains the rules of state agencies adopted under the Arizona Administrative Procedure Act. Publishes the Arizona Administrative Code and the Arizona Administrative Register, both of which contain the rulemaking activities of the state's agencies. The supplements to the Code are published quarterly, and the Register is published weekly.	Administrative Code Administrative Register Frequently Asked Questions
Partnerships	Contact Business Services
Centralizes statewide registration of limited partnerships, foreign limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships Records limited partnerships doing business in Arizona. Records foreign limited partnerships doing business in Arizona. Records limited liability partnerships doing business in Arizona.	Partnerships
Chief Election Officer	Contact Election Services
Serves as Chief Election Officer for the State and certifies candidates and measures (initiatives and referenda) to the ballot and certifies election results. Transmits and certifies the results of statewide elections. Prepares, witnesses the signing of, and files with the President of the Senate and National Archives and Records Administration, the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elector Ballot Certificate of Vote. Files abstracts of votes for multi-county election districts. Serves as Registration Officer for Lobbyists and registers and files expenditure reports made by principals, public bodies, and lobbyists. Accepts and files campaign finance reports. Tests and certifies voting devices used by the counties Trains and certifies county election officials.	Previous Election Information Upcoming Election Information Election Services
Trade names and Trademarks	Contact Business Services
Centralizes statewide registration of trade names and trademarks Registers trade names and trademarks Issues certificates of registration	Trade names Trademarks
Notaries Public	Contact Business Services
Commissions Notaries Public for four-year terms Certifies notarized documents going to other states Certifies notarized documents going to foreign countries (refer also to Apostilles) Offers notarizations of documents Offers a Notary Handbook under Arizona law to notaries.	Frequently Asked Questions Search for Notaries Notary Fees
Legislative Filings	Contact Public Services
Under A.R.S. § 41-121(7) Chaptered Bills (Senate, House Bills, ie.slip laws) Senate and House Memorials and Resolutions Governor Vetoes	Legislative Sessions - Bills and other items filed
Loyalty Oaths of Office & Open Meeting Law	Contact Administration
Files oaths of office for supreme court justices and court of appeals and superior court judges Files the governor's appointees to state offices, boards, and commissions State officers, employees and judges Makes available Open Meeting Law under A.R.S. § 38-431.01(F) Makes available Loyalty Oath of Office form A.R.S. § 38-231	A complete list of the governor's appointees can be found in the Semi-Annual Index to the Arizona Administrative Register. To request an oath, fill out a Public Records Request Form and mail it to us.
Intergovernmental Agreements	Contact Business Services
Files intergovernmental agreements, which are contracts entered into by two or more public agencies.
Charitable Organizations	Contact Business Services
Registers charitable organizations, which must register within three days after beginning solicitations Registers contracted fund raisers, who must register before conducting charitable solicitations.	Charitable Organizations Contracted Fundraisers
Publications	Contact us
The office offers many publications under Arizona Law and some as a public courtesy. Refer to the list online for more information.	Complete list of office publications available
Certified Copies of Documents	Contact Us
The office prepares certified copies of documents rules Chaptered Bills (Legislative Bills)	Contact the specific Division for more information about certified copies.
Corporations
Corporations are handled through the Arizona Corporation Commission.	Arizona Corporation Commission Web site
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)	Contact Business Services
The Secretary serves as Administrator of the Uniform Commercial Code Administers the recording of Uniform Commercial Code filings (Records all financing statements, continuations, amendments, assignments, or terminations - partial or complete - as applicable to the Secretary of State, Handles requests for searches of filed documents and files notices of disposition of collateral.	Uniform Commercial Code
Other Filings	Contact Business Services
Files notices, certificates, liens and other documents under the law Athlete Agents under A.R.S. § 15-1765 Advance Directives under A.R.S. § 36-3291 et seq. Federal tax liens, notices, and certificates Open meeting notice, statement of posting under A.R.S. § 38-431.02 State Forester Declaration of Prohibition under A.R.S. § 37-623(B) A register of certified public accountants. Out-of-State Landlord Agents for Service under A.R.S. § 33-1309	See Business Services filings
Charters, County & City	Contact Election Services
Files copies of charters under the law County charters & amendments under Arizona Constitution, Article 12 § 5, (E) and § 6 City charters & amendments under A.R.S. § 9-283
Telemarketers	Contact Business Services
Under A.R.S. § 44-1271 through § 44-1281 Registers telemarketers who offer a premium either of unstated value or in excess of $50 when selling items over the telephone. Telemarketers must register before starting their sales and file a $100,000 bond with the state treasurer.	Telemarketers

These duties and responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of State are prescribed by the Arizona Constitution and Arizona Revised Statutes.

Computer access to the Secretary of State's home page is available at our Phoenix and Tucson locations, Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except state holidays.

The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer.
Requests for reasonable alternate formats or accommodations can be made five days in advance by contacting the Secretary of State's ADA Coordinator at (602) 542-4919 or TDD (602) 255-8683.