How to apply for a business certificate

You need to give us the name and address of your business, along with the names and addresses of any people who have an interest in your business. We also need a copy of your lease agreement that includes signatures and start and end dates. If there is no lease, please provide a notarized letter from your landlord stating that your business is a tenant. 

You CANNOT use a virtual address or a post office box for a business location.

Complete and print out a business certificate form. Check the box that says “new filing.” The business owner’s signature needs to be notarized. We can also notarize your signature at the City Clerk’s Office if you have a valid picture identification.

Business certificate form

Will the business certificate be associated with a legally established corporation? The signature on the certificate must be one of the listed officers or directors of the corporation, as filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office, or any other state jurisdiction.

Filing fee

The filing fee is $65. If you are not a Massachusetts resident but you want to conduct business in the state, you need to pay an additional $35.

Applying 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% of the total payment, with a $1 minimum. This fee is paid to the card processor and not kept by the City.
• Please note: if your debit card requires you to enter your pin to process a payment, you CANNOT use it to pay your fee.

Applying by mail?

• If you send your payment by mail, please include a check or money order made payable to the City of Boston.