Business Certificates

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.
 

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 110 Section 5 states that any person conducting business in the Commonwealth under any 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.
 

Under Chapter 100 Section 6 a business certificate is not required if a corporation is doing business under its true corporate name, of 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 the above Section 6 for details.
 

The business certificate forms can be downloaded from this site or are available at the Town Clerk’s office.

A Business Certificate Change form must be filed with the Town Clerk’s office if of any of the following occurs:

The requirement to file a business certificate is State Law (MGL Chapter 110, Section 5. Failure to do so is punishable by a fine up to $300.00 per month of violation.