A capitol of a first-level national subdivision is the highest government office in a state, province, or any other top-level subdivision of a country. If the headquarters is split between different branches of the government, then the legislative headquarters (parliament, congress, etc.) takes precedence over the executive branch.

The governmental unit is the first subdivision level below the country, such as a state or province. A municipal headquarters belongs to city hall, while the country's own principal seat belongs to national capitol.

Where executive and legislative headquarters occupy different buildings, the legislative headquarters has precedence. A separate executive office does not become the capitol merely because it houses the head of the subdivision government.