Secretary of State

What is the Secretary of State?

The U.S. Secretary of State is a high-ranking member of the president’s cabinet with a diverse set of responsibilities. The secretary must provide counsel for the president’s foreign policies while also serving as the head of the State Department and working with the international affairs staff of foreign countries to maintain healthy international relations, treaties, and trade relationships.

Each state also has its own Secretary of State, who is responsible for overseeing elections within the state. This office is also tasked with issuing corporate licenses and certificates, as well as a variety of other administrative jobs within the state government.

FAQs 

How is the Secretary of State chosen?

In the federal government, the Secretary of State is nominated by the president and vetted by Congress before being confirmed by the United States Senate. The process varies at the state level—some states follow a similar process to the federal office, allowing the governor to appoint their secretary, while other states elect their Secretaries of State.

Are all Secretaries of State responsible for the same jobs?

The responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s office vary from state to state. Some states rely on the office for a select few tasks, like elections and business licenses, while other states place a wide variety of services under the Secretary of State’s umbrella. These additional tasks might include anything from issuing driver’s licenses to commercial certifications.

How do I contact my Secretary of State?

Each state’s Secretary of State office maintains a website with vital information about how to contact the office. In many cases, the office will also offer a variety of services online to save taxpayers’ time and money.