Business Certificates

Doing Business As

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Any person conducting business under any title (business name) other than the real name of person conducting the business is required by law to file a Doing Business As (DBA) certificate with the Office of the Town Clerk.

The owner listed must have his or her signature notarized before filing the certificate. This is a two-sided form which must then be approved by the building inspector before it can be filed with the town clerk.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 110, section 5


  1. What is a Business Certificate?
  2. Who must file a Business Certificate?
  3. Who must sign the Business Certificate?
  4. How long are the certificates good for?
  5. What if I go out of business, change my residence, change the location of the business or want to change the name of the business?
  6. How much does it cost to file a certificate?
  7. Must I display a copy of my Business Certificate?
  8. What is the penalty if I do not file a certificate or statement?
  9. Where do I get the forms and how do I file?
  10. Does the Business Certificate give me the right to operate my business?
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