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Who needs a business certificate (DBA) in Massachusetts?

Issued by The city or town clerk where the business has its office (M.G.L. c. 110, section 5), at step 1 of 6 in the opening sequence: set up the business.

Every kind of business in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts table lists this for every kind of business.

Needed whenever the business trades under any name other than the owner’s legal name or the LLC’s registered name. The owners sign in front of the clerk or a notary, and the certificate is filed in every town where the business keeps an office. The certificate is a registration, not a license to operate.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 1 of 6: Set up the business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by The city or town clerk where the business has its office (M.G.L. c. 110, section 5).

Sources and dates

M.G.L. c. 110, section 5; town clerk business certificate pages (Milford, Middleton and Norfolk $50, Boylston and Southborough $40, Rochester $20). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.