Virginia. Secretary of the Commonwealth

The Secretary of the Commonwealth was established by the state constitution in 1776. The secretary kept the executive journal, records of elections, and copies of the laws. He also served as the general ex officio secretary to the governor. Today the position has the responsibility to appoint and regulate the notaries public, the registration of lobbyists to the General Assembly, and the service of out-of-state civil processes.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth was established by the state constitution in 1776 and the secretary kept the records of election, the executive journal, copies of the laws, and also served as the general ex-officio secretary to the governor. Today, the Secretary of the Commonwealth is responsible for out-of-state civil processes, appoints and regulates notaries public, and registers lobbyists to the General Assembly.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth was established by the state constitution in 1776. The secretary kept the executive journal, records of elections, copies of the laws, and served as the ex officio secretary to the governor. Today the position is responsible for the regulation of notaries public, the service of out-of-state civil processes, and the registration of lobbyists to the General Assembly.

The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth has evolved from early colonial times when there existed a Secretary of the Colony. Thomas Nelson held the position of the first Secretary of Virginia in 1776. Early Secretaries were elected by the public. An Act of the General Assembly in 1920 changed the election to a joint vote of the General Assembly. In a 1930 Act the duties of the Secretary were redefined with the Secretary of the Commonwealth serving as the ex officio secretary of the Governor, as custodian of many official State records, and as keeper of the Greater and Lesser Seals of the Commonwealth. The office of the Secretary has gradually acquired other functions, such as: service of out-of-state civil process; appointment and regulation of notaries public; and registration and oversight of lobbyists. The Office became a gubernational appointment subsequent to a 1958 Act of the Assembly. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is under the jurisdiction of the Governor's Office.

The Secretary is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years. The Secretary has an Executive assistant and an Assistant who is in charge off prison mail and research duties. The Chief Clerk is responsible for the Governor's Journal and extraditions and acts as general office manager. Major activities are: serving as ex officio Secretary to the Governor; serving as the keeper of the seals of the Commonwealth; compiling and publishing the annual Blue Book; commissioning and regulating notary publics, including the publication of a Notary Handbook and conduct of disciplinary hearings; promulgating the lobbying disclosure requirements, registration of lobbyst, and recording of lobbying reports; servicing the civil process of out-of-state defendants and other parties; and authenticating and certifying the records of the courts and of any state agency.