Starting a business in The Bay State is complicated enough. Getting your ready-to-file Business Name Certificate (often called a DBA or "Doing Business As") shouldn't involve hours of forms and guesswork.
At assumedname.org, we eliminate the complex paperwork by providing Massachusetts Sole Proprietors with the certificate, accurately pre-filled with the precise information the Municipal or Town Clerk needs. Whether you are from Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, or somewhere else in Massachusetts, the Assumed (Business) Name Certificate will work in the city or town you are doing business in. Your accurate paperwork is ready in minutes.
If already you have an LLC or a corporation, you may have a different filing process for filing an assumed name at the state level. AssumedName.org focuses on helping Sole Proprietorships with local business name filings.
Our streamlined service is designed for the modern Massachusetts entrepreneur seeking speed, convenience, and guaranteed accuracy:
⚡️ Lightning Fast Preparation: Complete our simple online questionnaire and receive your complete, accurate Massachusetts DBA form ready-to-file in minutes.
✅ Guaranteed Accuracy for $5: For a low, one-time fee of only $5, we ensure the information on your certificate exactly reflects the details required by your local Massachusetts town or city.
🛡️ Focus on Core Business: We handle the paperwork preparation so you can immediately focus on the next steps, like setting up your professional Massachusetts business bank account.
❓ Still have questions? Find out what a DBA is, why most states require them, and if you need one for your business.
🖹 A custom formatted PDF: Prefilled with your information making it fast and easy for your government office to file and satisfy your jurisdictions business name requirements. You will have the opportunity to view & download your certificate plus it will be emailed to you.
🚐 Less driving around to get the right form: Save time, gas money, and parking fees going from place to place.
😕 Less confusion: We have done the research and identified the right information to put on the right form for Massachusetts Sole Proprietors so you don't have to. No matter if you are doing business in Suffolk, Worcester, Hampden, Middlesex, or any other county in Massachusetts, the information on your certificate will be accurate.
💲A low one-time charge: We charge $5 plus processing fees to complete your order. We use Stripe as our payment processor so you know it's secure and you can pay with many different types of credit cards or digital wallets like apple pay.
When operating under any name that is not your full legal name.
Business certificates are filed with the city or town clerk, such as the Boston City Clerk.
Most municipalities require renewal every **four years**.
No. DBA filings are not trademarks and do not prevent others from using similar names.
Steps:
Contact the city or town clerk where you intend to operate, such as Springfield.
Ask if they maintain an online database or in-office list of business certificates.
Search for your proposed business name and similar variants in those records.
Determine whether a similar name is already in use locally and adjust your name if necessary.
Note your findings and keep a record for your file.
Documents Required:
None
Estimated Time:
10–15 minutes
Steps:
Contact the city or town clerk where you will operate (for example, Cambridge City Clerk) to confirm the local requirements and make sure your proposed business name is not already in use in that municipality.
Gather your legal name, home address, business name, business address, and a brief description of your business.
Create your business name certificate and have it notarized if required by the municipality.
File the certificate with the city or town clerk and pay the local filing fee.
Keep the issued business certificate in your records and begin using your DBA name.
Documents Required:
Assumedname.org Business Name Certificate
Government-issued ID (for notarization or clerk’s office)
Filing fee payment
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 15–20 minutes
Local processing: same day to a few business days
What does the law say:
The relevant state law for assumed names / DBAs is: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110 § 5
Steps:
File your DBA (business certificate) with the appropriate city or town clerk and obtain the official certificate or a certified copy.
Obtain an EIN from the IRS if your bank requires it; many banks in Massachusetts, including those in Boston, prefer an EIN for business accounts.
Gather your business certificate, EIN letter, personal ID, and proof of business address.
Contact a bank and ask about business checking products for sole proprietors using a DBA.
Submit your DBA certificate and other documents and complete the application process; the bank should open your account within several business days.
Documents Required:
Business certificate (DBA)
EIN (if required)
Government-issued ID
Proof of business address
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 20–30 minutes
Bank approval: 1–3 hours