Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 110, Section 5 states "Any person conducting business in the Commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting business, whether individually or as a partnership, shall file in the Office of the Clerk of every city or town where an office of any such person or partnership may be situated…". There are two exceptions to this statute:
If you are incorporated. However, if you are incorporated but doing business under a different name, you are still required to file a Business Certificate.
If you are operating a business under your own full name. (e.g. John Doe Construction).
Applications for a Business Certificate are available in the Town Clerk's office and must be notarized if not signed in at our office.
We recommend calling ahead but appointments are not necessary.
A fee for the Business Certificate is $30, which must accompany your filing. Business Certificates are valid for four years.