Secretary of the State – Hartford, CT

Connecticut Secretary of the State Overview

The Secretary of the State (SOTS) is one of the constitutional officers of Connecticut, serving as the official keeper of the State Seal and the administrator of critical public records. Located in the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue, this agency is the primary destination for business registrations, election administration, and authentication of official documents. The office operates with a mission to educate and inform the public while preserving the integrity of the state’s records and democratic processes.

Business Services Division (BSD)

This division is the central hub for commercial recording in Connecticut. It handles the formation and registration of business entities, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Corporations, and Partnerships. 🏢 Key Functions:

• Business Filings: Processing Articles of Organization, Annual Reports, and dissolutions.
• UCC & Liens: filing and searching Uniform Commercial Code records to track secured transactions.
• Trademarks: Registration of trade and service marks used within the state.
• CONCORD: Maintenance of the public database allowing users to search for business details and file documents online.

Elections and Legislation

The Legislation and Elections Administration Division (LEAD) administers state election laws and ensures fair and accurate voting processes. This includes maintaining the centralized voter registration system, certifying candidates, and managing campaign finance filings. The office also acts as the official publisher of the Special Laws of the General Assembly.

Notary and Authentication

The SOTS is responsible for the appointment and regulation of Notaries Public in Connecticut. The office also issues Apostilles and Certificates of Authority to authenticate public documents for use abroad. 🛂 Visit Information: Visitors to 165 Capitol Avenue must undergo security screening. The Customer Service Center assists with in-person filings, though many services are encouraged to be completed via the Business One Stop online portal.