Tropical Storm Debby The Secretary of State's Office is scheduled to be OPEN to the public Wednesday, August 7. With Governor Cooper's State of Emergency declaration, we will continue to assess deteriorating conditions and provide updates here as needed. Please check back before visiting, and as always, Save Time--File Online.

Emergency Video Notarization EVN expired on June 30, 2024 at 12:01 AM. House Bill 556, which would have extended EVN until July 1, 2025 has been vetoed over an unrelated matter to notarization. Unless the General Assembly should override the veto or another legislative action is taken to extend EVN, it is NOT law. DO NOT perform an EVN until this changes. Current law requires notarizations to be done in person.

Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting The federal Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) establishes a new beneficial ownership reporting requirement for limited liability companies, corporations, and other similar entities formed or registered to do business in the United States. Beneficial ownership reports must be filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau within the U.S. Department of Treasury. For more information on the beneficial ownership information requirements. The North Carolina Secretary of State does not administer and has no responsibility for enforcing the CTA or the beneficial ownership information reporting program.

Scam Alert The NC Secretary of State has learned of a new scam targeting small business owners. Scammers impersonating various law enforcement agencies are contacting business owners claiming they are being investigated for fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, regardless of whether or not they have been repaid or forgiven. To legitimize the claim, the scammers provide elaborate phony court and/or legal documentation, including documents describing an arrest warrant that purports to require the posting of a cash bond and then instructions to make a payment (through a cryptocurrency kiosk) to resolve the warrant and avoid jail time. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not collect money over the phone.