It is the duty of the secretary of state to ascertain whether local action has been taken on all acts which are private or local in form or effect which requires a notification of the secretary of state pursuant to § 8-3-205. When a certificate of local action taken has not been received within the time limit specified in such act, the secretary of state shall take steps to find out whether any action has been taken and to obtain the necessary certificate, including the sending of a courier to examine local records and to procure a certificate if all other measures fail.