Secretary of State

This article explains what the California Secretary of State does and how Californians can use the office’s official services. You’ll find plain-English guidance on elections, voter registration, business filings, notary commissions and apostilles, state archives, public records, and specialized registries—plus direct pointers to official divisions so you can act quickly and confidently.

Understand the California Secretary of State’s Role and Reach

The California Secretary of State (often shortened to “Secretary of State” or “SOS”) is one of the state’s constitutional officers. The office manages California’s election administration, registers and maintains records for many types of businesses, authorizes notary public commissions and apostille services, preserves historical records through the State Archives, and oversees a variety of public registries. Behind the scenes, the SOS coordinates with other state agencies, county elections officials, and the Legislature to improve transparency and access to public information. When you deal with voter registration, search for a business filing, authenticate a public document for use abroad, research old legislative records, or register a domestic partnership—the Secretary of State is the hub.

Because many services are available online, the official website is the best starting point for current forms, deadlines, and program updates. You can explore the full scope of services through the California Secretary of State portal at the official site once you’re ready to act.

Navigate Elections: From Registration to Results

Get your bearings on statewide election services

California runs elections through a partnership between the state and its 58 counties. The Secretary of State sets statewide standards, certifies and monitors voting systems, publishes voter information, tracks ballot measures, and compiles official results. County elections officials run local operations, including vote centers, ballot drop boxes, and ballot tabulation. For statewide calendars, official guidance, and authoritative updates, start at the Elections home page where deadlines, accessibility resources, candidate guidance, and security materials are organized in one place.

Register, check status, and stay election-ready

Every California voter benefits from simple steps well before Election Day: register, confirm your status, and review voting options. Use the official voter registration page for eligibility and the process. If you’re ready to submit online, California provides the online voter registration application so eligible residents can register or update an address or party preference without printing forms. After you submit your registration, check your status at My Voter Status to confirm your voter record, track vote-by-mail ballots, and see whether a ballot was counted.

Find your polling place or vote center quickly

California voters can vote in person or by mail. If you plan to vote in person, locate where to go through Find Your Polling Place—the official SOS tool that directs you to your county’s in-person voting locations, hours, and options. For voters in counties using the Voter’s Choice Act model, you’ll see informational links to nearby vote centers and ballot drop-off options.

Missed the deadline? Use Same Day Voter Registration

Life happens. If you missed the standard registration deadline, California provides a safety net called “Conditional Voter Registration,” commonly known as Same Day Voter Registration. It’s available up to and including Election Day at voting locations and county elections offices. You’ll register on the spot and cast a provisional ballot that’s counted once officials verify your eligibility.

Choose how to vote: by mail or in person

California mails a ballot to every active registered voter. If you prefer to vote at home, review rules and replacement ballot instructions at the official Vote by Mail page. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received within the statutory window. If mailing late in the cycle, the SOS recommends walking your envelope into a post office to obtain a postmark or using authorized drop boxes or vote centers.

Make voting accessible and private for every Californian

California guarantees accessible voting for voters with disabilities and offers tools to maintain privacy and independence. If you need an accessible, at-home option, the Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) system lets you mark a ballot using compatible technology and return it per the instructions. For a full set of accessibility resources—such as curbside voting, accessible machines, and how to access voter materials—go to Voters with Disabilities for official guidance.

Understand the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) model

Under the VCA, counties may operate universal vote centers, expand early voting, and deploy secure drop boxes to increase convenience. Voters in these counties can choose any vote center in their county rather than a single assigned polling place. For county-by-county status, rules, and voter education materials, use the Voter’s Choice Act information maintained by the Secretary of State.

Ballot Measures, Parties, and Campaign Transparency

Ballot measures and voter information

California ballot measures appear on state and local ballots after qualifying through signature collection or legislative referral. The Secretary of State publishes the impartial Official Voter Information Guide, including nonpartisan analyses and arguments. For timelines and official measure listings, browse the elections portal; for statewide registration systems and data transparency backing that work, see VoteCal—the centralized voter registration database that supports online applications, polling place lookups, and ballot tracking for voters.

Parties, candidates, and campaign finance

California recognizes qualified political parties and provides rules for party qualification, ballot designations, and candidate statements. For financial transparency—contributions, expenditures, and committee filings—California’s statewide campaign reporting system is CAL-ACCESS, an official portal where the public can review filings and campaign finance activity.

Business Services: Form, File, and Research Official Records

Meet the Business Programs Division

If you’re forming or maintaining a California business entity, you’ll interact with the Secretary of State’s Business Programs Division. The division processes millions of filings each year, maintains public records, and publishes current processing timelines. Many services are digital—streamlined to help business owners get filings done without travel or mail delays.

Use bizfile Online to file and track

The state’s unified portal for many business transactions is bizfile Online. Here you can form entities, submit Statements of Information, order Certificates of Status, request certified copies, search records (with free images when available), and more. The portal continuously updates processing queues, integrates payments, and helps you avoid common errors.

Find the right forms and fees before you file

California requires different forms for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other structures. The SOS curates current templates and statutory fee schedules on Forms, Samples and Fees for Business Entities. Reviewing these materials reduces rejections and speeds approvals, especially for first-time filers.

Check processing timelines to plan your next step

Turnaround times shift based on volume and submission method. Before you mail, deliver, or file online, review the official Business Entities processing dates so you know what to expect. If you’re on a hard deadline—like a financing closing or compliance deadline—build in extra time or choose a faster submission path where available.

UCC filings: protect security interests

Secured creditors perfect their interests in collateral by filing liens and other notices under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). California is a central filing state for UCC, tax liens, and related notices. Use the UCC services through bizfile Online to submit or search UCC filings and order bulk data, then coordinate with counsel for legal strategy.

Notary Public Commissions and Apostille Services

Become or renew as a notary

The Secretary of State commissions notaries, approves education providers, and enforces notary laws. Prospective notaries should review qualifications, training requirements, and testing information on Become a Notary Public. Current notaries can access official handbooks, FAQs, and disciplinary guidelines from the notary portal to stay compliant.

Authenticate documents for use abroad with apostilles

When a California public document (such as a vital record or notarized document) will be used in a foreign country that recognizes the Hague Apostille Convention, the SOS can authenticate it. The process verifies the signature of a California official or notary who executed the document. To submit, track, or prepare your request, follow the step-by-step instructions at Request an Apostille. For timing, consult official processing dates—plan ahead if you need mailing time or in-person options.

State Archives: Research, Preserve, Learn

California’s State Archives is a division of the Secretary of State and the home of the state’s historical government records. Researchers, students, and journalists rely on the Archives for legislative records, constitutional documents, gubernatorial materials, maps, photographs, and more. For reading room hours, reference services, and how to request materials, visit the California State Archives official page. The Archives also offers exhibits, presentations, and guidance for handling fragile documents.

Public Records and Regulatory Materials

Request public records the right way

California’s Public Records Act lets you inspect or receive copies of non-exempt records held by public agencies. The SOS explains submission methods, response timelines, and cost practices at Public Records Act Requests. Clear, specific requests often move faster—identify the program (e.g., Elections Division, Business Entities) and the records (e.g., a date range, file number, or subject).

Regulations, guidance, and transparency

The Secretary of State publishes regulatory materials and program rules and links to statewide law and code resources. If you’re interpreting requirements for filings or elections processes, consult the official rule sets and statutory sources first. For campaign finance filings and related transparency, use the official CAL-ACCESS campaign finance portal.

County Elections Officials: Your Local Partner

California’s 58 county elections offices implement the state’s voter-centric model—operating vote centers, processing registrations, providing replacement ballots, and verifying signatures. If you need a replacement ballot, want to hand-deliver your vote-by-mail envelope, or need in-person language or accessibility help, contact your county. To find the official phone number, locations, and hours for your county, use County Elections Officials Contact Information. The state site also provides a map view and links to individual county pages.

Practical Election Tools You Can Use Today

Confirm your plan: Review the official Elections home page for dates and deadlines, then walk through registration and status checks.

Register or update: Use the voter registration page and the online application to register or update your address or party preference.

Verify your status: Check My Voter Status to confirm your registration details and track your vote-by-mail ballot.

Know your location: Use Find Your Polling Place for in-person options and vote center information.

If you missed the deadline: Go to a vote center using Same Day Voter Registration rules and vote provisionally.

Prefer to vote from home: Follow Vote by Mail steps; if you need an accessible at-home option, use RAVBM and consult Voters with Disabilities guidance.

Live in a VCA county: Learn how the Voter’s Choice Act works in your area through the Voter’s Choice Act information page.

Business Filings: A Clear Path from Idea to Paperwork

Start with structure and name availability

Before drafting articles or statements, determine the business structure that fits your tax, liability, and governance needs. California supports corporations (C- and S-), LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs, and more. Once you’ve picked a path, use Forms, Samples and Fees for Business Entities to choose the correct document and fee. If you plan to reserve a name, follow the SOS instructions in that section so you don’t run into conflicts after drafting.

File, then follow through with statements and certificates

After initial formation, you’ll likely need a Statement of Information, and you might need certified copies or a Certificate of Status—for banks, vendors, or out-of-state registrations. Use bizfile Online to file, request, and pay. Planning to open accounts or sign leases after formation? Check Business Entities processing dates so you can sequence tasks realistically and avoid last-minute surprises.

Trademarks, special filings, and corporate fraud relief

If you operate a brand in California, the state’s trademark and service mark registration can supplement federal protection (subject to different scopes and rules). Special Filings (e.g., immigration consultant bonds, joint powers notices, athlete agents) run through the Secretary of State, and the Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund provides limited restitution when a judgment for corporate fraud can’t be collected. Use the Business Programs pages to locate the correct division, then read requirements before submitting forms.

Notaries and Apostilles: Avoid Delays with Correct Preparation

For new notaries

Review eligibility, take an approved course, pass the exam, and submit fingerprints and an application as directed on Become a Notary Public. After commissioning, follow the official handbook closely. Missteps (like improper journal entries or identification practices) can lead to disciplinary action, so consult the FAQ and guidelines regularly.

For apostille requests

Ensure your document type and signature are eligible. In most cases, the SOS authenticates the signature of a California public official or notary—not the content of the document. Some documents require prior certification from a county clerk or state agency before SOS can issue an apostille. The Request an Apostille page explains acceptable documents, fees, submission options, and ways to verify issuance.

Archives and Records: Researching California’s Civic Story

The State Archives preserves and provides access to records that define public policy and civic life in California—legislative journals, bills and chaptered statutes, court decisions, constitutional materials, gubernatorial papers, maps, photographs, and more. If you’re preparing a legal history, a thesis, or journalistic research, start with the California State Archives site to learn reading room rules, digitization options, and how to request copies. Staff at the Archives can also help you identify collections by topic or agency to focus your work.

Public Requests, Legal Frameworks, and Official References

When you need non-exempt records from the Secretary of State, make a targeted request via the Public Records Act Requests page. For compliance research, the SOS also publishes regulations and directs users to current code texts and rulemaking materials. If your project intersects with elections procedures, business entities requirements, or disclosures, audit the official rules before acting. California also ties together election systems and campaigns through statewide transparency networks such as CAL-ACCESS campaign finance, ensuring that voters, watchdogs, and participants can see the money behind elections.

Secretary of State Departments and Offices (Official Contacts)

California Secretary of State — 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 — (916) 653-6814

Elections Division — 1500 11th Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 — (916) 657-2166

Notary Public Section — P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 — (916) 653-3595

Apostille (Notary Public Section) — P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 — (916) 653-3595

Uniform Commercial Code — P.O. Box 942835, Sacramento, CA 94235-0001 — (916) 653-3516

Special Filings — P.O. Box 942870, Sacramento, CA 94277-2870 — (916) 653-3984

Trademarks and Service Marks — P.O. Box 942870, Sacramento, CA 94277-2870 — (916) 653-3984

Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund — P.O. Box 15659, Sacramento, CA 95852 — (916) 651-9070

California State Archives — 1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 — (916) 653-7715

Domestic Partners Registry — P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 — (916) 653-3984

Advance Health Care Directive Registry — P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 — (916) 653-3984

Safe at Home Program — P.O. Box 846, Sacramento, CA 95812 — (877) 322-5227