File or Change a Business Certificate
What is a business certificate?
Commonly referred to as a “D.B.A.” (doing business as), a business certificate establishes a public record of the name and address of the owner(s) of a business.
Who must file a business certificate?
- Per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 110, Section 5, any person conducting business in the Commonwealth under any name other than the real name of the person conducting the business, whether individually or as a partnership, shall file a certificate in the office of the clerk of every city or town where an office of any such person or partnership may be situated.
- A business certificate is not required if a corporation is doing business under its true corporate name, or if a partnership is doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner. Certain other associations and partnerships may also be exempt. Please refer to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 110, Section 6 for details.
Filing Instructions
- Download the business certificate form or pick one up at the Town Clerk's office
- Fill out the form but don't sign it
- Each person named on the certificate as an owner must sign in person at the Town Clerk’s office or in the presence of a Notary Public
- Fee is $40, payable at time of filing
- File the certificate at the Town Clerk's office
Certificate Renewal
The certificate must be renewed every four (4) years as long as the business is still active
Discontinuance or relocation of a business
A Business Certificate Change form must be filed with the Town Clerk’s office if of any of the following occurs:
- Business is discontinued
- One or more of the persons named on the certificate withdraws or retires from the business or partnership
- One of more of the persons name on the certificate dies
- Change of address of one or more of the persons named on the certificate
- Change of the location of the business
Filing the Business Certificate Change Form
- Download the business certificate change form or pick one up at the Town Clerk's office
- Fill out the form but don't sign it
- Each person named on the certificate as an owner must sign in person at the Town Clerk’s office or in the presence of a Notary Public
- Fee is $40, payable at time of filing
- File the certificate at the Town Clerk's office
Penalty for failure to file a business certificate
Failure to do so is punishable by a fine up to $300.00 per month of violation.