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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Citizens' Guide to State Services
Published by
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Citizen Information Service
Business/Economic Development: Business Registration & Regulations
A20 Corporations Division
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, l7th floor
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-727-9640, or 617-727-2850
www.sec.state.ma.us/cor/
E-mail: corpinfo@sec.state.ma.us
See the Corporations Division entry for the complete listing of corporate information and services.
Roughly translated, and not meant as a legal interpretation, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 110, Section 5: Any individual who is doing business under a name other than his or her own name must file a business certificate in the city or town hall where the business is to be located, or by incorporating with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. If the owner of the business wishes to register a trademark or service mark they may file one with the Trademarks Section of the Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. DBA's (Doing Business As) for corporations, partnerships, and individuals register at the city or town hall where the business is located. Some businesses require further licensure; for example: a barber would register their business locally or by incorporating, as well as need a state license for barbering. Business licensing and incorporating questions should be directed to the Call Center.
