Primary Duties of the North Carolina Secretary of State

The North Carolina Secretary of State is an elected constitutional officer with five core statutory roles:

1. Chief Elections Officer

• Oversees statewide elections: voter registration, early voting, Election Day operations.
• Certifies election results; sets regulations; trains local boards of elections.

2. Official Keeper of State Documents

• Maintains the official North Carolina General Statutes, State Constitution, and session laws.
• Attests to official acts of the Governor and other executives; preserves General Assembly records.

3. Regulator of Corporations

• Charters new business entities (corporations, LLCs, LPs, nonprofits).
• Processes annual reports, amendments, mergers, dissolutions.
• Enforces state corporate and securities laws.

4. Custodian of the Great Seal

• Applies the Great Seal of North Carolina to commissions, proclamations, and other official instruments.

5. Administrator of the State Ethics Act

• Enforces ethics rules for state employees and public officials.
• Investigates complaints; imposes disciplinary actions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Manages the state's vital records system (birth, death, marriage certificates).
• Provides public records access (FOIA liaison).
• Promotes international trade and economic development (trade missions, foreign investment outreach).