Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

Chapter
Two
State Executive Offices
Chapter Two State Executive Offices
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Constitution provides: The secretary of state is an officer in the executive department; to qualify
as secretary of state, a person must be a qualified voter, twenty-one years old, and elected by the
people (Article V).
Term: Four Years Statutory Salary: $90,227
Mary Kiffmeyer
(Republican)
180 State Office Bldg., St. Paul 55155
(651)296-2803
Web site: www.sos.state.mn.us
E-mail: secretary.state@state.mn.us
THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN MINNESOTA
Elected: 1998, 2002 Term expires: January, 2007
Minnesota law provides that this office maintains many official records of the state, oversees the
administration of elections in the state, charters and registers corporations, and maintains annual
reports for foreign and domestic corporations. The office administers statewide databases for voter
registration and for the filing of liens under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
The secretary of state chairs the state election canvassing board and convenes the Electoral College
in the state. As keeper of the great seal of the state of Minnesota, the secretary of state certifies official
records and documents. She serves on the State Executive Council and the State Board of Investment.
In order of gubernatorial succession the secretary of state follows the lieutenant governor,
president of the senate, and speaker of the house.
Election Division administers election law, provides information on election procedures, publishes
election information, and preserves official documents, including proclamations, executive orders of
the governor, delegations of authority, special laws, rules, and extraditions.
Open Appointments Administrator administers the open appointments process for state boards
and agencies.
Business Services Division reviews, approves, and files articles of incorporation and amendments
for all business, nonprofit foreign, professional, cooperative, banking, and insurance companies
doing business in the state. The division records assumed business names, limited partnerships,
limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships and accepts applications for legal
newspaper status. The division in turn provides this database information to the public by providing
lists, labels, tapes, on-line access, subscriptions, and by answering telephone inquiries.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Division files and maintains records filed under the UCC
regarding collateral that has been pledged to secure loans. The division also administers the Central
Notification System (CNS) for farm product liens, and files and maintains state and federal tax
liens.
Customer Services Division provides “expedited” counter filing and record search of UCC and
business filings; maintains and provides copies and certificates attesting to various facts about all
business filings; records trademark filings; holds copies of the original land survey records of the
state; is the agent of substituted service of process on corporations; and provides for the
authentication of documents for use in other countries.