North Carolina Secretary of State

North Carolina Secretary of State

Harnett County Register of Deeds partners with North Carolina Secretary of State. The North Carolina Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing a range of administrative and business-related functions and maintains the official journal of the North Carolina General Assembly. Duties include:

  • Business Registration – Manages the registration of corporations, LLCs, and other business entities in the state.
  • Charities Regulation – Oversees charitable organizations and fundraising activities.
  • Notary Public Commission – Regulates and commissions notaries in North Carolina.
  • Lobbying Compliance – Maintains records and ensures compliance for lobbyists and their activities.
  • Securities Regulation – Oversees the sale of securities to protect investors from fraud.
  • Trademark Registration – Manages state-level trademark registrations.
  • Real Estate Records – Maintains records of land ownership and transactions.

The incumbent is Elaine Marshall, a Democrat and the first woman elected to the office.

Their office provides some services that are outside the scope of the Register of Deeds office.

  • A Healthcare Power of Attorney does not need to be filed in the Harnett County Register of Deeds office. The North Carolina Secretary of State maintains an Advance Healthcare Directive Directory. 

Learn more