MEDIA RELEASE: Secretary of State’s lobby in Lucas Office Building closed through March 27

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate sent the following message to Iowa businesses today:

In order to reduce the risk to our customers and employees due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, we are closing the Secretary of State’s Office lobby in the Lucas Building through Friday, March 27. During this time, we ask that you utilize our Fast Track Filing (FTF) System, or our legacy filing system for your filings. If you would like to file any of the following, please do so through FTF (https://filings.sos.iowa.gov):

• Certificate of Organization
• Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Authority
• Statement of Change of Registered Office or Agent
• Fictitious Name Resolution

Filings submitted through FTF can be approved the same day if filed during regular business hours or 8:00AM- 4:30PM. It is free to register and there are no additional fees when using FTF.

We will still be offering expedited service; however, it will look a little different. Start by submitting the filing through our legacy system here: https://sos.iowa.gov/file/origination/index.aspx.

If your filing needs to be completed same-day, please send a follow-up email to Business.services@sos.iowa.gov, and provide the name of the entity and tracking number. In order to have your filing done that day, it must be received no later than 2:00PM and must mention the request in the text of the email.

You can also fax your filing to 515-242-5953 if that is an easier option. Please include a credit card authorization form with all filings submitted this way. We will email the filing back to you by the close of business that day.

We will continue to monitor the situation and extend or reduce lobby closures as the situation evolves. Thank you for your patience during this time. Please feel free to contact our Business Services Staff at 515-281-5204.

This full message is also available on the Secretary of State’s website at this link.

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