Compact With Texans
I. Agency Mission
The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to provide a secure and accessible repository for public, business, and commercial records and to receive, compile, and provide information. In addition, our mission is to ensure the proper conduct of elections, authorize the creation and registration of business entities, and to publish state government rules and notices. Finally, the Secretary of State serves as the liaison to the Governor for Texas - Mexico issues, as well as Texas' Chief International Protocol Officer. We assist our staff with personal and professional development, as well as promote and develop a diverse workforce and effective use of resources.
II. Agency Principles
- To provide accurate, reliable, and timely access to information; maximize the efficiency of document processing; and take actions to ensure compliance with laws and rules.
- To obtain and maintain uniformity and integrity in the conduct of elections statewide while overseeing the election process in the state.
- To increase voter registration.
- To maximize efficiency of services.
- To educate and advise our service population.
- To recruit, train and retain qualified employees, and develop and maintain a diverse and representative workforce.
- To establish and carry out policies governing purchasing and other contracting that foster meaningful and substantive inclusion of historically underutilized business.
III. Agency Duties
Executive
The Secretary of State is one of six officials named in the Texas constitution who form the Executive Branch of the State's government. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary of State handles a wide range of duties imposed by Statute, Executive Order and the Texas Constitution. The Secretary of State serves as the Governor's liaison for Mexico and Border Affairs and oversees a Colonia Assistance program through a colonia coordinator and colonias ombudsmen stationed along the Texas-Mexico border. As Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas, the Secretary of State receives internal dignitaries and delegations on behalf of the Governor and the State of Texas.
Corporations
The Corporations Section is the filing office for documents relating to corporations, professional associations, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. Additionally, the section is responsible for registration or filing of state trademarks; assumed names for incorporated entities as well as limited partnerships and limited liability companies; registered limited liability partnerships; unincorporated nonprofit associations; and financial institution filings designating registered agents.
Statutory Documents
The Statutory Documents Section is the filing office for documents relating to Notaries Public and the commission thereof; registration of public safety organizations, independent promoters, public safety publications and their solicitors, telephone solicitors, veterans' organizations and their solicitors; automobile clubs; health spas; business opportunities; athlete agents and other miscellaneous filings. Also the Statutory Documents Section accepts service of process for the Secretary of State who is the statutory agent for service of process when the Secretary of State is served. In addition, The Texas Constitution requires all elected and appointed state officers to file a statement with the Secretary of State prior to taking the oath of office.
Texas Register
The Texas Register is responsible for the publication of the Texas Register; a weekly publication containing proposed and adopted state agency rules. A copy of the current issue of the Register, Open meetings postings and The Texas Administrative Code may be viewed on the agency website.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
The Secretary of State and the county clerks are filing officers for financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code evidencing that a debtor and a secured party intend to engage in a secured transaction using specified collateral as security. In addition, the Secretary of State is the filing officer for utility security agreements under the Texas Business & Commerce Code, transition property notices under the Utility Code, federal liens, restitution liens, agricultural chemical and seed liens, and liens for animal feed.
Elections
The Secretary of State is the chief election officer for the State of Texas. As chief election officer, we provide assistance and advice to election officials on the proper conduct of elections. This includes hosting seminars and elections schools, providing detailed instructions, calendars, ballot certification, limited election funding, and other election documents to the election officials. We also provide assistance to the general public on voter registration and other election issues through our 1-800 toll-free number, 1-800-252-VOTE (8683), and via the Internet at elections@sos.state.tx.us. In addition, we conduct the Project V.O.T.E. (Voters of Tomorrow through Education) program, which is a curriculum for students, pre-K through twelfth grade, designed to educate Texas students about voting and the legislative process. Also, The Texas Voter Registration System is an online voter registration application designed for county officials to maintain accurate and efficient voter registration rolls. Currently, 118 counties are online with TVRS.
IV. Customer Service
The Office of the Secretary of State is dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and timely services. We will act in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, accountability, efficiency, and openness.
It is the purpose of the Office of the Secretary of State to serve the public. If you are not happy with the service you have received or if you've had a positive experience, please direct your comments to:
Customer Service Representative
Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 12697
Austin, Texas 78711
OR
Phone (512) 463-5770; Fax (512)475-2761
All complaints will be reviewed and a response given within 10 business days.
V. Agency Contacts
| Secretary of State |
Executive | Hope Andrade | Phone: (512) 463-5770 Fax: (512) 475-2761 |
E-mail the Secretary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Secretary of State |
Executive | Coby Shorter, III | Phone: (512) 463-5770 Fax: (512) 475-2761 |
cshorter@sos.state.tx.us |
Director |
International Protocol | Romina Black | Phone: (512)-463-5268 Fax: (512) 475-2761 |
rblack@sos.state.tx.us |
General Counsel |
Executive | John Sepehri | Phone: (512) 463-5770 Fax: (512) 475-2761 |
generalcounsel@sos.state.tx.us |
Director |
Communications | Randall Dillard | (512) 463-9981 Fax: (512) 475-2761 |
rdillard@sos.state.tx.us |
| Border Affairs |
Executive | Shawna Russell | Phone: (512) 463-2081 Fax: (512) 475-2761 |
srussell@sos.state.tx.us |
| Colonias Coordinator |
Border Affairs | Yvette Gonzalez | Phone: (512) 463-8948 Fax: (512) 463-5678 |
ygonzalez@sos.state.tx.us |
| Division Director |
Business and Public Filings | Lorna Wassdorf | Phone: (512) 463-5591 Fax: (512) 463-5709 |
lwassdorf@sos.state.tx.us |
| Director |
Statutory Documents | Linda Stout | Phone: (512) 463-6182 Fax: (512) 463-0873 |
lstout@sos.state.tx.us |
| Director |
Texas Register | Dan Procter | Phone: (512) 463-5562 Fax: (512) 463-5569 |
dprocter@sos.state.tx.us |
| Director |
U.C.C. | Randy Moes | Phone: (512) 475-2700 Fax: (512) 475-2812 |
rmoes@sos.state.tx.us |
| Division Director |
Elections | Ann McGeehan | Phone: (512) 463-5650 Fax: (512) 475-2811 |
amcgeehan@sos.state.tx.us |