An act of a deputy or regular assistant of the secretary of state in the secretary of state's behalf under this part shall be deemed the equivalent of the act of the secretary of state; provided, that the deputy or assistant signs the name of the secretary of state by the secretary of state as the deputy or assistant so that the record will show the party acting for the secretary of state and that such party was a deputy of or regular assistant to the secretary of state.
T.C.A. § 20-2-220