This week, Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown announced that certified copies of key business documents can now be ordered over the Internet. The new service allows businesses to electronically order and pay for certified copies of specific corporation documents, including annual reports, amendments, and certificates of fact and existence. These documents are required to prove the existence and status of a business for legal and financial purposes such as when a business seeks a loan, reorganizes, or is involved in a merger. "Our office has made it a priority to step boldly into the technology age and offer more of our services online," said Brown. "This allows our customers to come to us when it's convenient for them, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
Brown estimated that his office produces and distributes about 30,000 certified copies a year. Before the online service was introduced, requests were submitted in writing or over the phone. With the online request application, processing turnaround time is expected to be cut in half.
The system accepts Visa and MasterCard credit and debit charges, and payments are processed through Montana's secure payment server. Customers can also download and print receipts directly through the online service. Certified record copies are delivered via mail or Federal Express, and customers may also choose to pick up their orders at the Secretary of State's Office in Helena.
Customers who expect to make frequent certified document requests can become registered users of Discovering Montana and receive monthly billing statements for all of the eGovernment services offered at through the state's Web portal. For more information about becoming a registered user of Discovering Montana, call 866-449-3468.
The certified document request service is the result of an alliance between state government and the private sector. It was cooperatively developed and is supported by the Montana Secretary of State's Office, the Montana Department of Administration's Information Technology Services Division, and Montana Interactive, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment provider NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).
Quelle: Business Wire
