53-20-7: Issuance of certificate of authority.

A. If the public regulation commission [secretary of state] finds that the application for a certificate of authority meets the requirements of the Foreign Business Trust Registration Act and the requisite fees have been paid, it shall:

(1) endorse on the original the word "filed" and the month, day and year of the filing;

(2) file in its office the original of the application; and

(3) issue a certificate of authority to transact business in this state to which it shall affix a copy of the application.

B. The certificate of authority, together with a copy of the application affixed to it, shall be returned by the public regulation commission [secretary of state] to the business trust or its representative.