N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-903: Issuance of registration.

If the Secretary of State finds that an application satisfies the requirements of this Article, the Secretary shall, when all requisite fees have been tendered as in this Article prescribed:

(1) Endorse on the application the word "filed", and the hour, day, month and year of the filing thereof;

(2) File in the office of the Secretary of State the application;

(3) Issue a certificate of authority to transact business in this State to which the Secretary shall affix the conformed copy of the application; and

(4) Send to the foreign limited partnership or its representative the certificate of authority, together with the conformed copy of the application affixed thereto. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 989, s. 2; 1987, c. 531, s. 8; 1997-485, s. 27; 1999-362, s. 35.)