Business Certificate
Massachusetts law requires most businesses operating under a trade name to file with the City Clerk’s Office. You must renew every four years.
Who Can Apply
You need a Business Certificate if you run your business under a name different from its legal name, sometimes also called “doing business as” (DBA), trade name, or assumed name.
This applies to sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs.
One exception: If you’re a real estate salesperson, you can’t file a business registration under your own name. You’ll need to complete the state’s requirements and pass the exam for a Real Estate Broker’s License first.
Before You Apply
If your business is a corporation, LLC, or other legal entity, you'll need to register it with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth before you file your Business Certificate. The person who signs your certificate must be listed as an officer or director in that state filing.
Required Documents
If you’re filing in person, the City Clerk’s Office can notarize your documents on-site for free. Bring a valid photo ID.
If your signatures need to be notarized, everyone who’s signing must be there in person.
Depending on your business type, you may need to provide additional documents.
The application form is available in 12 languages including Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, Haitian Creole, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese, and Cabo Verdean Creole.
All applicants must bring:
- A completed and notarized Business Certificate form (check the “New Filing” or “Renewal” box as applicable)
- Your business name and address (you can't use a virtual address or a P.O. box)
- Names and home addresses of all individuals with an interest in the business
- A signed copy of your lease agreement, including start and end dates
- Or, if you have no lease, a notarized letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy
If there’s already a Business Certificate on file with the same business name or address as yours, you’ll also need a notarized letter from the landlord stating that the previous business owner is gone. Check the Business Certificate Database before you apply so you ensure there are no conflicts.
- Health permit and fire permit
- Hawkers and Peddlers License
- Commissary kitchen agreement or letter
- Certificate of Liability Insurance
- Your registration number from Inspectional Services
- A copy of your state-issued daycare provider license
- Vehicle registrations
- Commercial insurance binders
- Two utility bills
- Massachusetts driver's licenses for all drivers
- Your business lease
- Livery plates from the Registry of Motor Vehicles
- A valid Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration from the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
- A valid Construction Supervisor (CS) license from the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections
- Your Real Estate Broker's License from the Commonwealth
- A copy of the Food Service Permit (health permit)
- Your current lease agreement
- If you serve alcohol or have an occupancy of more than 49 people, a copy of the Certificate of Inspection from Inspectional Services
- Review the City’s cannabis business registration steps before you file
Translated Documents
Fees
- Filing fee: $65
- Non-resident surcharge: an extra $35 if you don’t live in Massachusetts but want to conduct business in the state
- Change of business address: $50
- Late renewal penalty: up to $100 per month, capped at $300
How to Pay
- Pay in person: We accept cash, credit cards, pinless debit cards, and checks or money orders made payable to the City of Boston. If you use a credit card or pinless debit card, there is a non-refundable service fee of 2.5 percent of the total payment, with a $1 minimum. This fee is paid to the card processor and not kept by the City. If your debit card requires you to enter your pin to process a payment, you cannot use it to pay your fee.
- Pay by mail: If you send your payment by mail, please include a check or money order made payable to the City of Boston.
How to Apply
You can apply in person or by mail. If you apply in person, we can issue your certificate while you wait. By mail, it can take 2-3 business days. There is no online filing option.
- In person: Bring your completed, notarized form, required documents, and payment to us, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- By mail: Mail your completed, notarized form, required documents, and a check or money order (payable to the City of Boston) to us. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so your certificate can be returned to you.
Room 601
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
Renewals
You must renew your Business Certificate every four years, counting from the date you first registered with the City Clerk. You’ll get a letter from us when it’s time to renew. The renewal process, documents, and fee ($65) are the same as the initial filing. Check the “Renewal” box on the form.
Certificates must be renewed on time. A late penalty of up to $100 per month applies, with a maximum total penalty of $300 (under MGL Chapter 110, Section 5).
If you stop doing business, or move to a new address, you're required to file a Withdrawal Form or Change of Location Form with the City Clerk.
Changes to Your Certificate
If your business moves, you must file a [Change of Location form] with the City Clerk. This uses the same form family as your original Business Certificate, but it’s a separate filing with its own fee.
You’ll need the same information and documents as your original filing (see [Required Documents]) plus a completed and notarized Change of Location form.
The fee is $50.
You can file in person or by mail, using the same payment methods and channels as a new filing or renewal.
