Citizens' Guide to State Services:
Secretary of the Commonwealth

Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth

State House, Room 337
Boston, MA 02133-1003
Executive Office: 617-727-9180
General Information: 617-727-7030
Fax: 617-742-4722
E-mail: cis@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us Hours: Monday-Friday (execpt holidays) 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

The responsibilities of the Secretary of the Commonwealth include custody of the state seal, the administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, recordings of appointments and commissions, the storage of historical data, the preservation of historic sites, the administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, and information and referral on many aspects of state government, as well as State House tours, and the Registry of Deeds offices that have been placed under the Secretary's supervision.

Regional Offices

Fall River

Springfield

The Regional Offices have information on elections, legislation, and provides certificates and certified copies corporations currently on file. The staff swears in state officials, notaries public, and justices of the peace and provides and files state nomination papers. They are part of the State Bookstore. Publications and regulations are available.

Citizen Information Service

Citizen Information Service (CIS)
Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1611
Boston, MA 02108-1512
Phone: 617-727-7030
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6090 (within Mass. only)
MassRelay (Deaf & Hard of Hearing) English: 1-866-887-6619
MassRelay (Deaf & Hard of Hearing) Spanish: 1-866-930-9252
Fax: 617-742-4528
E-mail: cis@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisidx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

Citizen Information Service provides assistance to citizens who have questions pertaining to the many aspects of state government. It offers contact information on state programs, agencies and directs people to the proper offices where they can obtain assistance in resolving their problems or questions. The office also serves as a liaison to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency as the primary information and referral source when the governor declares a state of emergency. In addition, CIS produces and distributes a series of publications covering a diverse range of topics, such as "The Citizens Guide to State Services", "The Citizens Guide to Town Meeting", "Veterans' Laws and Benefits", "Massachusetts Facts": A review of the History, Government, and Symbols of the Commonwealth", "Welcome to Massachusetts a Primer on Bay state Basics: A practical guide to living in the state", as well as maps of the cities and towns, counties, congressional districts and area code regions of the Commonwealth. Please visit our website or call for a full listing of our publications series.

Corporations and Trademarks

Corporation Division
Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1717
Boston, MA 02108-1512
Main Number: (617) 727-9640, and (617) 727-2850
Fax: (617) 742-4538
E-mail: corpinfo@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/cor/coridx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm.
Filing room and certificate window closes at 4:00 pm.
Filings or certificate purchases made in person may pay with cash, check or money order.

Corporate Filing Forms Order Line:   617-727-9440 (leave a message)
Corporate Filing Information and Records:   617-727-9640
Certificates:   617-878-3088
Certifed Copies:   617-878-3077
Foreign Corporations:   617-727-9640
Legal Section:   617-878-3007
Limited Liability Companies/Partnerships:   617-727-9640
Limited Partnerships:   617-727-9640
Name Availability:   617-727-9640
Nonprofit Corporations:   617-727-9640
Resident Agent:   617-727-9640
Service of Process:   617-878-3007
Trademarks and Service Marks:   617-727-8329
Trusts:   617-727-9640
Uniform Commercial Code:   617-878-3099
Voluntary Cancelation/Dissolution:   617-727-9640

The Corporations Division is responsible for filings related to all for profit and nonprofit corporations organized in Massachusetts as well as those out-of-state corporations doing business in Massachusetts that have registered with the division. Information available includes names and addresses of officers and directors, managers and or signatories, registered agents, and the business office in Massachusetts where records are maintained. The division also files documents related to limited partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, voluntary associations and certain trusts, uniform commercial codes, trademarks and service marks. Certified copies of all documents and certificates related to corporate status are available for a fee.

Elections Division

Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1705
Boston, MA 02108-1513
Phone: 617-727-2828
Toll Free: 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) (within Mass. only)
Fax: 617-742-3238
E-mail: elections@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Elections Division is responsible for many phases of the election process in presidential and state primaries and elections. It provides individuals with nomination papers, calendars, and other forms and instructions for running for office. The office provides information on laws and regulations governing the election process.

Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF)

1 Ashburton Place, Room 411
Boston, MA 02108-1518
Phone: 617-979-8300
Toll Free: 1-800-462-OCPF (6273 within Mass. only)
Fax: 617-727-6549
www.ocpf.us

OCPF is an independent agency which both administers and enforces the Campaign Finance Laws, MGL Chapter 55. Candidates for state and county elective offices as well as political action committees (PACs) and ballot question committees file reports disclosing campaign-related contributions and expenditures here. Local candidates and committees file with the respective city/town clerk or board of election commissioners. Other aspects of the office include the administration of the state's public financing system, issuance of advisory opinions and interpretative bulletins, and oversight of public employees' political activity.

Massachusetts Archives

Archives Division
Secretary of the Commonwealth
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3384
Phone: 617-727-2816
Fax: 617-288-8429
E-mail: archives@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcidx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:30-4:30

The Archives Division is responsible for the custody, preservation, and management of the permanently valuable non-current records of the Commonwealth. Records of particular note include legislative materials from 1629 to the present, maps and plans, military muster rolls, state and federal census records, and birth, marriage, and death registers dating from 1841 through 1915. The research of Archives patrons focuses on a broad range of genealogical, historical, legal, and administrative topics. The Archives Research Room is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm and closed on most holidays.

Commonwealth Museum

Secretary of the Commonwealth
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3384
Phone: 617-727-9268
Fax: 617-825-3613
E-mail: commonwealthmuseum@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/index.html
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 9:00-4:45
Saturday and Sunday 9:00-3:00 May through October

The Commonwealth Museum features exhibits about the people, places, and politics of Massachusetts. Call, or go online for a listing of educational materials, traveling exhibits, and special programs. The museum offers free admission.

Agency Records Center

Secretary of the Commonwealth
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3384
Phone: 617-727-2470
Fax: 617-288-4505
E-mail: recordscenter@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcrec/recabtidx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

Formerly the State Records Center The Agency Records Center is no longer accepting additional boxes and we are continuing to work with agencies to take back their non-permanent records. Please contact recordscenter@sec.state.ma.us to discuss disposition of any records your agency may have on deposit. The Agency Records Center is not open to the public. Members of the public interested in state documents must contact the agency that generated the original document(s).

Records Conservation Board

Secretary of the Commonwealth
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3384
Phone: 617-727-2816

The Records Conservation Board is administratively located within the Archives Division of the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. It was established to set standards for the management of state agency records and to ensure the orderly flow of records into and out of agency files. Records of an agency of the Commonwealth may not be destroyed without the prior permission of the board.

Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC)

Secretary of the Commonwealth
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3314
Phone: 617-727-8470
Fax: 617-727-5128
E-mail: sec-dl-mhcweb@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Massachusetts Historical Commission is the agency responsible for administering historic preservation funds and programs. Established to encourage the identification and protection of our cultural heritage, the MHC works closely with local historical commissions in developing their preservation plans. Through the MHC, local commissions can propose properties for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. MHC is also the office of the State Archaeologist.

Public Records Division

Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108-1512
Phone: 617-727-2832
Fax: 617-727-5914
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/public-records/public-records.htm
E-mail: pre@sec.state.ma.us
Lobbyist Section: 617-727-9122
E-mail: lob@sec.state.ma.us
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Public Records Division keeps custody of the state seal, oversees the administration of the state Public Records Law, and acts on the appeals of individuals who have been denied access to the public records of state and local government. In addition, the Public Records Division serves as a repository for numerous public records. Candidates seeking federal office file records of their campaign contributions and expenditures. Other records on file include listings and descriptions of the personal data systems held by state agencies, and copies of pardons and criminal renditions from other states (although these are exempt from the Public Records Law).

Commissions Section

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Division of Public Records
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108-1512
Phone: 617-727-2836
Fax: 617-727-5914
E-mail: comm@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/preidx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Commissions Section swears in appointed state officials, notaries, and justices of the peace. (Applications to become a notary public and/or justice of the peace are obtained by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to the Governor's Council, Room 184, State House, Boston, MA 02133. The Commissions Section also certifies the signatures of public officials, affixes Apostilles to documents going out of country, authorizes clergy to perform marriages in the Commonwealth, maintains a list of the local option statutes accepted by each municipality, and records the names of all public officials and appointed members of local, state, and regional public boards and authorities.

Lobbyist Division

Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108--1512-9120
Phone: 617-727-9122
Fax: 617-727-5914
E-mail: lob@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/lobbyist/lobbyist.htm
Hours: Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Lobbyist Division is responsible for the oversight and enforcement of lobbyist registration and disclosure reporting. The Lobbyist Division functions to ensure that lobbyists register with this office when required, and that the registered lobbyists and clients fully disclose all information required by the Massachusetts Lobbying Law. Legislative agents, executive agents and sub-agents (lobbyists) register and file their semi-annual disclosure reports with this office. In addition, the Lobbyist Division serves as a secondary repository for FEC filings.

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

Division of Public Records
Secretary of the Commonwealth
P.O. Box 9120
Chelsea, MA 02150-9120
Phone: 617-727-3261
Toll Free: 1-866-SAFE-ADD (723-3233)
Fax: 617-727-3263

The Address Confidentiality Program was created by Chapter 409 of the Acts of 2000 and provides a means by which victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking can use a confidential address forwarding system. ACP is not open to the public.

State Bookstore

State Publications and Regulations Division
Secretary of the Commonwealth
State House, Room 116
Boston, MA 02133-1019
Phone: 617-727-2834
Fax: 617-973-4858
E-mail: bookstore@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/spr/spridx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The State Bookstore, which along with the Regulations Section makes up the State Publications and Regulations Division, is responsible for the sale and distribution of state publications, public documents, bound annual volumes of Acts and Resolves, individual copies of state laws passed within the last two years, and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations as promulgated by state agencies. A catalog is available online or in printed form and mail orders are accepted.

Subscription Services

The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth also offers various subscription services: the Massachusetts Register containing new and recently amended agency regulations and notices of public hearings, the Cumulative Table listing changes to the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, the Central Register which lists contract opportunities for construction-related activities on public facilities as well as real property transactions, the Goods and Services Bulletin which contains invitations to bid for goods and services of state, county and municipal agencies and the Advance Publication of the Acts and Resolves. Contact the State Bookstore for further information. Additionally, the Corporation Division offers subscription services related to corporate records and requirement updates.

Regulations Section

State Publications and Regulations Division
Secretary of the Commonwealth
State House, Room 117
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-727-2831
Central Register: 617-727-9136
Fax: 617-742-4822
E-mail: regs@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/spr/spridx.htm
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Regulations Section, along with the State Bookstore makes up the State Publications and Regulations Division, is responsible for publishing the Massachusetts Register which includes all new regulations and amendments promulgated by state agencies, public hearing notices, Executive Orders, and Opinions of the Attorney General, as well as publication of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations. The division also publishes the Central Register which lists contract opportunities on state, local, and regional projects related to the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, acquisition, and disposition of capital facilities; and the Goods and Services Bulletin which lists state, county and local government contract opportunities for goods and services. The division will provide certified copies of original documents. During each legislative session it publishes the Acts and Resolves.

Registry of Deeds

Registry of Deeds Division
Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1710 Boston, MA 02108-1512
Phone: 617-878-3152
E-mail: registry@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/registry-of-deeds/registry-of-deeds.htm
Hours: Monday -Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am-5:00 pm

Chapter 48 of the Acts of 1997 initiated the process of abolishment of some county government offices. The following is a list of Registries of Deeds that have been placed under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. All other Registries are independent, though contact information for all the Registries is available by visiting the website above.

Berkshire - Middle

44 Bank Row
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-443-7438
www.berkshiremiddledeeds.com

Hampden - Satellite Office

59 Court Street
Westfield , MA 01085
Phone: 413-755-1722, ext. 1201
www.hampdendeeds.com

Berkshire - Northern

Francis T. Brooks, Registrar
65 Park Street
Adams, MA 01220
Phone: 413-743-0035
www.berkshirenorthdeeds.com

Hampshire

33 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: 413-584-3637
www.massrods.com/hampshire

Berkshire - Southern

334 Main Street, Suite 2
Great Barrington, MA 01230-1894
Phone: 413-528-0146
www.berkshiresouthdeeds.com

Middlesex - Northern

360 Gorham Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: 978-322-9000
www.lowelldeeds.com

Essex - Northern

1 Union St. Suite #402
Lawrence, MA 01843
Phone: 978-557-1900
www.lawrencedeeds.com

Middlesex - Southern

208 Cambridge Street
P.O. Box 68
Cambridge, MA 02141-0068
Phone: 617-679-6300
www.middlesexsouthregistry.com

Essex - Southern

45 Congress Street, Suite 4100
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-542-1700
www.salemdeeds.com

Suffolk

24 New Chardon Street
P.O. Box 9660
Boston, MA 02114-9660
Phone: 617-788-6221
www.suffolkdeeds.com

Franklin

43 Hope Street
P.O. Box 1495
Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: 413-772-0239
www.franklindeeds.com

Worcester

90 Front Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-798-7717
www.worcesterdeeds.com

Hampden

50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: 413-755-1722
www.hampdendeeds.com

Worcester - Northern

166 Boulder Drive, Suite 202
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: 978-342-2132

Securities Division

Secretary of the Commonwealth
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1701
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-3548
Toll Free: 1-800-269-5428 (within Mass. only)
Fax: 617-248-0177
E-mail: securities@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/sct/sctidx.htm
Online Complaint Form: www.sec.state.ma.us/InvestorComplaint/compidx.aspx
Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm

The Securities Division is responsible for regulating activities of persons and companies in the securities business in accordance with the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act. The Division is made up of three sections: Corporate Finance; Enforcement; and Registration, Inspections, Compliance and Examinations (RICE). The Division endeavors to protect Massachusetts investors by taking appropriate enforcement and disciplinary actions. Investment advisers, broker-dealers and certain associated persons must be registered with the Division in order to engage in business in Massachusetts. Additionally, securities offerings and other types of investments may have to comply with certain filing and disclosure requirements before being sold in the Commonwealth. Division staff is tasked with ensuring that there is compliance with state securities laws and investigating complaints received from the public where it appears that there may be a violation of the law. The Division also provides investor education through speakers and presentations. The Division often coordinates its activities with other state and federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies. Please contact the Division with any questions, concerns, complaints, or to verify the registration status of your adviser.

State House Tours

State House Tours Division
Secretary of the Commonwealth
State House, Room 194 (Doric Hall)
Boston, MA 02133-1035
Phone: 617-727-3676
Fax: 617-973-4858
mastatehousetours@sec.state.ma.us
www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/state-house-tours/state-house-tours.htm
Office Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 8:45 am to 5:00 pm
Tour Hours: Monday-Friday (except holidays) 10:00 am to 3:30 pm

The Tours Division provides free, guided tours to the State House for individuals and groups. It offers two types of tours: one focuses on the architectural, artistic, and historical features of the State House; the other provides an in-depth view of state government and the legislative process. The legislative tour is available by reservation only. Tours are given between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Large groups should reserve three weeks in advance. The division also offers curriculum assistance to educators who are developing class units on state government.