Amending Your Alcoholic Beverages Retail License Online (ePLACE)

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission is excited to launch the ePLACE Portal, our new electronic licensing system. ePlace represents a multi-year project that was initiated to modernize our licensing system and better serve you. Before you apply for a license, please review the information provided below to ensure that you have all the required documents and pertinent application materials.

To apply for an amendment to an existing Retail License, you will need electronic copies of the documents listed below. In order to upload these documents, the online application requires Microsoft Silverlight. Your application fee must be submitted at the end of the online process. There is a flat processing fee of $200 for retail transactions. You can apply for multiple retail transactions at one time, and will only be charged one $200 fee.

Below is a list of possible amendments you can make to your license and the required documents for each.

Table of Contents

Confirm Technical Requirements

Below is the list of supported browser versions that provide the best user experience for the online application:

  • Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer 10 or 11
  • Firefox 29
  • Safari 6
  • Google Chrome 34
  • Opera 21

Although you may find that your current version also works, it may not support all functions.

To use the system you must first create a user name and password. Links to user guides on this topic and other helpful information about the eLicensing and ePermitting Portal can be found here.

Key Actions   for Confirm Technical Requirements

Additional Resources   for Confirm Technical Requirements

Your License Classification(s)

License Category

Changing your license category concerns noting what types of alcohol you sell (e.g., wines and malts vs. cordials vs. all alcohol).

To amend your license category, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a change in category, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Abutter's Notification
  • Advertisement

License Class

Amendments toward your license class concern sales of alcohol products moving from a seasonal to an annual basis, or vice versa.

To amend your license class, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a change in class, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Abutter's Notification
  • Advertisement

License Type

Changing your license type involves noting whether you are a restaurant that sells alcohol or a general business on premises.

To amend your license type, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a change in type, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Advertisement

Key Actions   for Your License Classification(s)

Additional Resources   for Your License Classification(s)

Change of Manager

In order to amend your retail license's listed manager, you will need the following documents:

  • CORI Authorization Form. Complete one for the proposed manager of record. This form must be notarized with a stamp or raised seal.*

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote appointing the manager of record, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.

  • Proof of Citizenship. Passport, Birth Certificate, Voter Registration, or Naturalization Papers.

Additional Resources   for Change of Manager

Alteration of Premises/Change of Location

In order to amend your retail license's location change or alterations, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for an alteration of premises or change of location, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.

  • Supporting financial records for any single contribution of $50,000 or greater.

  • Proof of legal right to occupy, such as a lease or deed.

  • Floor plan

  • Abutter's Notification

  • Advertisement

Key Actions   for Alteration of Premises/Change of Location

Additional Resources   for Alteration of Premises/Change of Location

Change of Corporate Name

To change your corporate name, you will need the following documents:

For Corporate Name

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a change in corporate name, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Business Structure Documents
    • If corporation or LLC, Articles of Organization from the Secretary of the Commonwealth
    • If partnership, Partnership Agreement
    • If Sole Proprietor, Business Certificate

Key Actions   for Change of Corporate Name

Additional Resources   for Change of Corporate Name

Change of Legal Structure

Note: This is for a change in legal structure only (i.e., going from a sole proprietor to an LLC or corporation or a corporation going to an LLC, etc). If the persons or entities with beneficial interest in this license are also changing, you should complete the Transfer of License paperwork.

To complete this amendment regarding your business's legal structure, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote for the change in legal structure, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Business Structure Documents
    • If corporation or LLC, Articles of Organization from the Secretary of the Commonwealth
    • If partnership, Partnership Agreement
    • If Sole Proprietor, Business Certificate

Key Actions   for Change of Legal Structure

Additional Resources   for Change of Legal Structure

Pledge of Collateral (License, Stock, or Inventory)

In order to amend your retail license's with respect to a pledge of collateral, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a pledge of license / stock / inventory, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Pledge Documentation

  • Promissory Note

Key Actions   for Pledge of Collateral (License, Stock, or Inventory)

Additional Resources   for Pledge of Collateral (License, Stock, or Inventory)

Change in Beneficial Interest

In order to complete this amendment to your retail license, please have the following:

  • CORI Authorization Form. Complete one for each individual with beneficial interest in the entity that is applying. This form must be notarized with a stamp or raised seal.*
  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote for new officers / directors / LLC Managers / LLC Members, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Business Structure Documents
    • If corporation or LLC, Articles of Organization from the Secretary of the Commonwealth
    • If partnership, Partnership Agreement
    • If Sole Proprietor, Business Certificate
  • Purchase & Sale Agreement
  • Supporting financial records for any single contribution of $50,000 or greater.
  • Advertisement. This is needed only if this includes a transfer or issuance of stock or the addition of a new stockholder.

*Officers/Directors of non-profit clubs with no ownership do not need to fill out CORI applications.

Key Actions   for Change in Beneficial Interest

Additional Resources   for Change in Beneficial Interest

Change of DBA ("Doing Business As")

To change your DBA, you will need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a change of DBA, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity.
  • Business Certificate

Key Actions   for Change of DBA ("Doing Business As")

Additional Resources   for Change of DBA ("Doing Business As")

Change of Hours

To amend the hours of operation per your retail license, you need the following documents:

  • Vote of the Corporate Board. Include a vote to apply for a change in hours, signed by an authorized signatory for the entity. 

Additional Resources   for Change of Hours

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback