Business Certificate Information

Business Certificate

All fictitious name certificates for businesses (commonly known as "doing business as" or "DBA" certificates) are filed with the Town Clerk. Massachusetts requires any person or business entity who is conducting business under an alias (i.e. any other name than their own), including corporations, to file a business certificate in the community where their business is principally headquartered.

A "DBA" which stands for "doing business as", contains the name and address of the business and the names and residences of the principals of the business. This certificate must be signed by the business owner in the presence of a designated clerk in the Office of the Town Clerk or a Notary Public.

DBA certificates allow consumers to identify and locate the proprietor of a business. The filing of a "DBA" certificate also serves as notice that the filer claims the exclusive use of the name contained in the certificate. Filing a business certificate at the local level, however, does not protect your name. If you have a business name or a symbol that you consider unique and valuable you may want to register it as a trademark or a service mark.

It is the responsibility of the business owner(s) to check with the Corporations Office in Boston to verify that you are not using a corporate name that is protected in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Also, Corporations would fall under M.G.L. Chapter 110, Section 6.

File For a New D.B.A.

Instructions for Filing a Business Certificate in the Town of Dennis, MA. Required by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 110, Section 5

You can apply for or renew your Business License online by visiting the OpenGov Online Permitting portal and following these instructions:

You'll need to create an account for yourself, click "Sign Up" and follow the prompts.
In the search bar, type in "Business Certificate", hover over "Business Certificates" and select.
Click the blue button that says "Apply Online"
Follow the steps to provide contact information and your business information.
Once submitted, your application will need to be reviewed and approved for Zoning by the Building Department.
Once approved, you will receive an emailed invoice. Your certificate will then be issued. If you are filing a New Business Certificate, you have 2 options to complete your filing:
1. Print your certificate and have your signature notarized by a Notary Public. You will then need to upload your Notarized signature into the "Attachments" portion of your application to complete your application.
2. Come into the Town Clerk's Office and sign off on your certificate in the presence of a staff member.

For more detailed, step-by-step instructions, please click here.

Renewing a Business Certificate

The "DBA" Business Certificate is valid for 4 years and the fee to renew is $30. A notice will be sent to the email address on file when it is time for renewal. Renewals may be made either in person or through the mail by cash or check, or by credit/debit card online through the OpenGov permitting system. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Dennis. Instructions on how to renew your Business Certificate online can be found by clicking here.

Any change in a Business Certificate must be recorded in the Town Clerk's Office with a $15 fee. Such changes include Discontinuance, Change of Name or Address, and Addition of Partner.

It is important to file for a Discontinuance Form if you close your business. A copy of this form should be kept for your records and/or tax purposes.

In order to make a change to a current Business Certificate, please see the forms below. Amendments to a current certificate require a notarized signature from each owner, as well as a filing fee of $15 per amendment. Signatures can be notarized by a Notary Public, or a Town Clerk Office Staff member.

Business Certificate Information