Filing Guide

Massachusetts · checked 2026-09-02 · Source-backed guide

Massachusetts business certificate filing guide

Choose your entity and local filing office

This state overview includes local filing rules. Choose your entity below, then confirm the office for the location where you do business. A county example or fee in the sources is not a statewide filing destination or a quote for your selected office.

Choose your entity and read its authority →

    If your location is not listed, use the local authority described in the entity rules below. We do not have a reviewed local answer for every location.

    What Massachusetts calls a DBA

    The official term documented here is business certificate.

    Source: www.mass.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptbusiness certificate

    Massachusetts does not run a statewide DBA registry.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.mass.gov official record · retrieved
    • business certificate

    Instead, the Commonwealth calls this filing a business certificate, and the requirement lives in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 110, Section 5.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.mass.gov official record · retrieved
    • business certificate

    The state's own Mass.gov guide notes that the document is sometimes called a doing business as (DBA), trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.mass.gov official record · retrieved
    • business certificate

    The rule is uniform: any person conducting business in the Commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the business, whether individually or as a partnership, must file a certificate with the clerk of every city or town where the business has an office.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Such certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.
    • Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.
    • The preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.

    That covers sole proprietors and partnerships, and it can also cover LLCs and corporations that operate under a name different from the legal name used to incorporate or register.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.
    • The preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.

    Section 6 of the same chapter carves out narrow exemptions, including corporations doing business under their true corporate name, partnerships whose business title includes the true surname of a partner, and LLCs or limited liability partnerships operating under their true registered name.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.
    • The preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.

    Violations carry a fine of not more than three hundred dollars for each month the violation continues.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.

    Rules by legal entity type

    Jump to the entity that already exists. Each section keeps its own authority, fee, exceptions, and official evidence.

    Build a personal filing plan for Massachusetts →

    All covered entity types

    Local filing route: confirm the county, parish, city or town office identified by the authority and applicability below. The following forms, fees and office details are references from the cited jurisdiction; confirm they apply to your location before using them. Check reviewed local filing choices →

    Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptAny person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted
    Authority: City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an officeSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptCity or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    When this route applies: Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptAny person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.
    Local filing reference — Official form: Not confirmed in this guide.
    Local filing reference — Form destination: Not confirmed in this guide.
    Local filing reference — Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
    Local filing reference — Statutory default — local fees may replace it: For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptSection 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.
    Local filing reference — Effective duration: A certificate issued in accordance with this section shall be in force and effect for four years from the date of issueSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptA certificate issued in accordance with this section shall be in force and effect for four years from the date of issue
    Local filing reference — Renewal: shall be renewed each four years thereafter so long as such business shall be conducted and shall lapse and be void unless so renewed.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptshall be renewed each four years thereafter so long as such business shall be conducted and shall lapse and be void unless so renewed.
    Local filing reference — Changes or amendments: A person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptA person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.
    Local filing reference — Abandonment or cancellation: A person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptA person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.
    Local filing reference — Important exclusions: The preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptThe preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.
    Local filing reference — Mail filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
    Local filing reference — In-person filing: Such certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    Supporting excerptSuch certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.

    How to file through the authority

    There is no state filing office and no single statewide form.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Such certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.

    Each city and town sets its own process, usually through the clerk's office, and Mass.gov publishes a lookup table with contact information and business certificate detail links for every Massachusetts municipality.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Such certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.

    Under Chapter 110, Section 5, the certificate states the full name and residence of each person conducting the business and the place and title under which it is conducted, and it must be executed under oath and signed by each person in the presence of the city or town clerk, the clerk's designee, or a person authorized to take oaths.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office

    The clerk may request evidence of the filer's identity.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office

    The default fee in the state fee schedule, Chapter 262, Section 34, clause (20), is one dollar, but that schedule applies only unless the city or town has set its own fees by council or town meeting action, and most have.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.

    Boston, for example, requires a completed business certificate form with a notarized signature, a lease agreement or notarized landlord letter, and a filing fee the city states as sixty-five dollars, with an additional thirty-five dollars for non-Massachusetts residents; applications are taken in person at the City Clerk's Office, Room 601, 1 City Hall Square, or by mail with a check or money order.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Such certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.

    Contact your own city or town clerk for its current form, fee, and submission options.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.

    Renewal, amendment, and abandonment

    A business certificate is in force and effect for four years from the date of issue, and under Chapter 110, Section 5 it must be renewed each four years thereafter so long as the business is conducted; a certificate that is not renewed lapses and becomes void.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • A certificate issued in accordance with this section shall be in force and effect for four years from the date of issue
    • shall be renewed each four years thereafter so long as such business shall be conducted and shall lapse and be void unless so renewed.

    Changes are handled by filing with the same clerk.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • A person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.

    If you discontinue, retire, or withdraw from the business, you must file a statement under oath to that effect, and the same kind of sworn statement is required when your residence or the location of the business changes; the statute sets the default fee for that statement at fifty cents under clause (21) of the clerk fee schedule, again subject to locally set fees.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • A person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.

    After a filer's death, the executor or administrator of the estate may file the discontinuance statement.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • A person who has filed such a certificate shall, upon his discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, file in the office of said clerk a statement under oath that he has discontinued, retired or withdrawn from such business or partnership or of such change of his residence or change of the location of such business, and pay the fee required by clause (21) of said section thirty-four. In the case of death of such a person, such statement may be filed by the executor or administrator of his estate.

    Boston applies a late fee penalty to businesses that fail to renew on time, so check with your clerk about renewal deadlines and any penalties in your municipality.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • A certificate issued in accordance with this section shall be in force and effect for four years from the date of issue
    • shall be renewed each four years thereafter so long as such business shall be conducted and shall lapse and be void unless so renewed.
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.

    Publication and notice

    Publication could not be confirmed for all covered entity types. No requirement or exemption is asserted.

    Next steps: self-file first

    Go to the Mass.gov business certificates guide, which explains who must file and links to a city and town lookup table with clerk contact information and business certificate detail pages for each municipality.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.
    • The preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.

    Then contact or visit the website of the clerk for the city or town where your business has an office, get that municipality's current certificate form, and ask about its locally set fee, notarization options, and submission methods.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Such certificate shall be executed under oath by each person whose name appears therein as conducting such business and shall be signed by each such person in the presence of the city or town clerk or a person designated by him or in the presence of a person authorized to take oaths.
    Source: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • Section 34. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action; and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate bylaws and ordinances to set such fees, the fees of city and town clerks shall be as follows:— (1) For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors, two dollars. (2) For recording assignment of future wages or salary, one dollar. (3) For filing attachment of bulky personal property, one dollar. (4) For filing dissolution of attachment of bulky personal property, fifty cents. _\[There are no clauses (5) to (10).\]_ (11) For entering amendment of a record of the birth of a child born out of wedlock, subsequently legitimatized, two dollars. (12) For correcting errors in a record of birth, two dollars. (13) For furnishing certificate of a birth, two dollars. (13A) For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth, one dollar. (14) For entering delayed record of birth, two dollars. (15) For filing bond to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations, a permit for which is granted under the provisions of section nineteen of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. (16) For filing bond conditioned upon the payment of any judgment for damage or injury resulting from the storage or manufacture of fireworks as provided by section forty of chapter one hundred and forty-eight, one dollar. _\[There are no clauses (17) to (19).\]_ (20) For filing certificate of a person conducting business under any title other than his real name, one dollar.

    Bring identification, since the statute lets the clerk request evidence of your identity, and be ready to sign under oath in the clerk's presence or before someone authorized to take oaths.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office

    Mark your calendar for the four-year renewal so the certificate does not lapse.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • A certificate issued in accordance with this section shall be in force and effect for four years from the date of issue
    • shall be renewed each four years thereafter so long as such business shall be conducted and shall lapse and be void unless so renewed.

    If your business is an LLC or corporation using its exact legal name, the statutory exemption may apply, but confirm the details with your clerk.

    Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: malegislature.gov official record · retrieved
    • City or town clerk of each city or town where the business has an office
    • Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the 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 a certificate stating the full name and residence of each person conducting such business, the place, including street and number, where, and the title under which, it is conducted.
    • The preceding section shall not apply to any corporation doing business under its true corporate name, nor to any partnership doing business under any title which includes the true surname of any partner; ... nor to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership which is doing business under its true name and which has registered or qualified with the office of the state secretary.

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