The Secretary of State (Secretary) is required to perform certain duties as enumerated under statute which include:

• keeping a register of and attesting to the official acts of the Governor;
• affixing the state seal to commissions, pardons, authentications of certificates and other public instruments to which the signature of the Governor is required;
• recording all articles of incorporation, deeds, or other papers filed with the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS);
• receiving and filing all official bonds of officers required to be filed with the OSOS;
• receiving and filing receipts for all books distributed by the Assistant Secretary of State (Assistant Secretary);
• certifying the election returns for Constitutional officers and certifying all names of other candidates who have received the highest number of votes for any office the incumbent of which is to be commissioned by the Governor;
• furnishing a certified copy of any part of any law, record, or other instrument filed with the OSOS;
• presenting to the Speaker of the House of Representatives a full account of all purchases made and expenses incurred by the Secretary on account of the state;
• filing an impression of each seal in use by any state officer;
• keeping a record of all fees charged or received by the Secretary;
• establishing a Division of Elections; and
• administering and conducting the Washington State Legacy Project.

The Secretary also has various authority granted by statute such as:

• attesting to the authenticity of the signature of a public official in the state;
• entering into a memorandum of agreement or contract with any agency or private entity to provide services under the various corporation statutes of the state;
• appointing authenticating officers and delegating to those officers the power to sign for the Secretary any document which requires the Secretary's signature as approved by the Secretary; and
• appoint one Assistant Secretary and one Deputy Secretary who has the power to perform any act or duty relating to the OSOS that the Secretary has.

The OSOS Chief of Staff is added to the list of individuals who have the power to perform any act or duty relating to the OSOS and is given signing authority.