(a) If the Secretary of State finds that an application for registration conforms to law and all requisite fees have been paid, he or she shall:
(1) endorse on the application the word “Filed,” and the month, day, and year of the filing thereof;
(2) file in his or her office a duplicate original of the application; and
(3) issue a certificate of registration to transact business in this State.
(b) The certificate of registration, together with a duplicate original of the application, shall be returned to the person who filed the application or his or her representative.