Confederate States Secretary of State
| Confederate States Secretary of State | |
|---|---|
| Confederate States State Department | |
| Style | Mr. Secretary |
| Status | Abolished |
| Member of | The Cabinet |
| Reports to | The president |
| Seat | Richmond, Virginia |
| Appointer | The president with Senate advice and consent |
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Formation | 25 February 1861 |
| First holder | Robert Toombs |
| Final holder | Judah P. Benjamin |
| Abolished | 10 May 1865 |
The Confederate States secretary of state was the head of the Confederate States Department of State of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War. There were three people who served the position during this period, and one who served in an acting capacity.
The role of secretary of state was a cabinet-level position appointed by Jefferson Davis and subject to the confirmation of the Confederate Senate. Despite the limited size of the Confederate States Department of State, the secretary of state was responsible for relations with and attempted recognition of the Confederate States government with foreign countries, recording of governmental records, and approving passports and official governmental documents. The Confederate States Department of State was created on February 21, 1861, and ceased to exist on May 5, 1865, with the dissolution of the Confederacy.