The secretary maintains the official journal of the North Carolina General Assembly and is responsible for overseeing land records, chartering corporations, and administering some commercial regulations.

[1] In 1675, the secretary became responsible to the King of England, and was largely tasked with clerical duties relating to land ownership.

[3] He held the office for over 20 years before resigning due to allegations that he had issued fraudulent land warrants.

[5] Janice H. Faulkner, appointed by the Governor of North Carolina in 1996 to fill the vacancy created by Edmisten's resignation, became the first woman to hold the office.

[10] The office has also at times been responsible for insurance regulation, vehicle registration, and collection of the state gas tax.

Until the General Assembly was moved to the State Legislative Building and given a professional staff in the 1960s, the secretary was responsible for assisting it in several matters, including seating assignment in the legislative chambers, enrolling acts and resolutions before their ratification, and indexing and printing the session laws.

[14] Article III, Section 7, of the Constitution of North Carolina stipulates the popular election of the secretary of state every four years.

[20] The secretary is charged with attending sessions of the General Assembly to obtain possession of laws passed by it, and maintains the official journals of each house.

[2] They are empowered to investigate violations of lobbying laws and impose civil fines not exceeding $5,000 for infractions.

[18] They attend the ceremonies in which an outgoing governor turns over the Great Seal of North Carolina to their successor.