What is a business certificate?
You must file a business certificate if your business operates under any name other than its legal name. The “legal name” is the official name used when incorporating or, in the case of a sole proprietor, the owner’s legal name.
Note: This document is sometimes called a "doing business as (DBA)," "trade name," “fictitious name,” or "assumed name."
You'll file your business certificate in the city or town where your business is located. This certificate is not a business license. It makes a public record of the business owner's name and address (M.G.L. ch.110 §5).
Who needs a business certificate?
If your business operates under any name different from its legal name, you need a business certificate.
For example, the owners of “Smith & Sons Accounting Services" want to operate as “FastTax Solutions.” They must file a business certificate since the business name differs from the legal business name or the name they used to incorporate.
Any subsequent business name changes will also require filing a new business certificate.
For example, if Smith & Sons Accounting Services later decides to operate as “Best Tax Solutions,” they’ll need to file a new business certificate since they’re still operating a business under a name other than its legal name.
Check your city or town requirements
Each city and town has its own process for filing a business certificate, usually involving the clerk’s office. The following table has contact information for city and town clerk’s offices. Use it to find out what your city or town requires.
- Links titled "business certificate details" will take you to a page on that city or town's website containing more information about how to get a business certificate.
- Links titled "clerk's office" will take you to that city or town's clerk's office webpage, which may have more information about how to file or who to contact to begin the process.
The town of Monroe doesn't have a website. If you're doing business in Monroe, visit the town offices at 3 C School St, Monroe, MA 01350.
| Date published: | November 5, 2024 |
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