Business Entity Licensing

More Information About Specific License Types

A business entity may include:

• A corporation
• A limited liability company (LLC)
• A limited liability partnership (LLP)

Before You Begin: Two Different Agencies

Getting a Business Entity License involves working with both the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Each agency has a different role:

Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI)

• Approves your business name
• Issues Business Entity Licenses
• Determines licensing requirements

Massachusetts Secretary of State

• Registers your business entity in Massachusetts
• Issues the certified business documents required for your license application

Important Note: 

Registering your business with the Secretary of State does not authorize you to conduct insurance business in Massachusetts. A separate Business Entity License issued by the Division of Insurance is required.

Steps to Apply for a Business Entity License

All Business Entity applicants must complete the following steps before submitting a license application through NIPR.

Step 1: Obtain Name Approval

Your business name must be approved by the Division of Insurance before you register with the Massachusetts Secretary of State or apply for a license.

To request name approval, email: DOINameApproval@mass.gov

Include:

• Business name
• Entity type
• State of domicile

Once approved, the Division will send a Name Approval Letter by email.

Step 2: Register with the Massachusetts Secretary of State

Use your Name Approval Letter to register your business entity with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Your registration requirements will depend on your entity type and domicile status. Contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (617) 727-9640 for questions about the registration process. 

Step 3: Obtain Required Certified Document

After your business entity has been registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, you must obtain the certified documents required for your license application. Review your Name Approval Letter carefully, as it identifies the documents required for your specific business entity.

Certified documents must be issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Documents obtained from other sources or uncertified copies will not be accepted.

Contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (617) 727-9640 for questions.

For most applicants, the required documents include:

• Massachusetts Letter of Good Standing: To order, search for the business entity on the MA Secretary of States Corporations Division page and select "Request Certificate" at the top of the entity's summary page.
• Certified Copy of the Application for Registration: To order, follow the instructions provided on: Certified copy Information. The certified copy must include the "A True Copy Attest" stamp by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

These documents are issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State, not the Division of Insurance.  If you need assistance obtaining these documents, please contact the Secretary of State at 617-727-9640.

Step 4: Apply Through NIPR

Apply for your Business Entity License through NIPR. Upload your required certified documents through the NIPR Attachments Warehouse. If you don't upload them when you apply, email them to DOIRegistrationDocs@mass.gov

Applications will not be reviewed until all required documents have been received.