Business Certificate/DBA
What is a Business Certificate?
Massachusetts requires any person or business entity who is conducting business under an alias (i.e. any other name than their own), including corporations, to file a business certificate in the community where their business is principally headquartered.
A "DBA" which stands for "doing business as", contains the name and address of the business and the names and residences of the principals of the business. This certificate must be signed by the business owner in the presence of a designated clerk in the Office of the Town Clerk. You can also sign it in the presence of a Notary Public.
A DBA certificate allows consumers to identify and locate the proprietor of a business. The filing of a "DBA" certificate also serves as notice that the filer claims the exclusive use of the name contained in the certificate. Filing a business certificate at the local level, however, does not protect your name. If you have a business name or a symbol that you consider unique and valuable you may want to register it as a trademark or a service mark.
It is the responsibility of the business owner(s) to check with the Corporations Office in Boston to verify that you are not using a corporate name that is protected in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Corporations also fall under M.G.L. Chapter 110, Section 6.
The filing fee for 4 years is $40.00.
How to File:
Please see the form below for instructions on how to file a DBA and for the application. There are also forms for a Change of Business Name, Change of Business Address and a Discontinuance/Withdrawal of a DBA.
* How to File a Business Certificate ("DBA")