Department of State

Biografía del Secretario

HON. OMAR J. MARRERO DÍAZ
SECRETARIO DE ESTADO

Omar J. Marrero Díaz obtuvo un bachillerato en administración de empresas (B.B.A.) con una doble concentración en Contabilidad y Finanzas de la Universidad de Dayton (Ohio)

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The Department of State was created by Section 6 of Article IV of the Constitution of July 25, 1952. Said section provides that the Governor shall be supported by Secretaries of Government, among them, a Secretary of State, whom he shall appoint with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Likewise, it is established that the Secretary of State is the constitutional successor of the Chief Executive in his absence.

As one of the most important governmental instrumentalities, the Department of State is responsible for fostering cultural, political and economic relations between Puerto Rico and foreign countries, as well as with other jurisdictions of the United States of America. In addition, it performs various administrative functions such as:

• To enact, publish and certify the laws and bylaws of the Government of Puerto Rico;
• To regulate the use of the flag and coat of arms of Puerto Rico;
• To issue licenses for the exercise of professions or trades regulated by the State through the Examining Boards;
• Preparing and keeping various registries: consuls; corporations and partnerships; trademarks; notaries and intellectual property, among others;
• Process passport applications for U.S. citizens, a task delegated by the Federal Government;
• Coordinate matters of a protocol nature that fall within the Government's purview.

It also keeps a record of government appointments made by the Chief Executive; promulgates proclamations issued by the Chief Executive or the Secretary of State; and provides assistance to persons visiting the Island for research or educational purposes through the Department's Cultural Exchange and Technical Cooperation Office.

Currently, the Department of State occupies the structure listed as a point of historical interest in Old San Juan: the Real Intendencia