Frequently Asked Questions

• Any person, whether individually or as a partnership, conducting business under any title other than the complete real name of the owner(s).
• Any corporation doing business in a name other than its corporate name. The certificate must be completed and filed by a corporate officer.

File with the City Clerk, either in person or by mail, in every Town or City where an office of said business may be situated. Filing a business certificate at the city level does not protect your name as a corporate filing or a trademark registration does, it merely allows consumers and or creditors to identify the names of the actual owners of a business. This filing is required by state law. 

A business certificate does not give you permission to operate your business either, it only registers the name.

The doing business as certificate must be submitted with the following items:

• Worker’s Compensation form (if you have no employees, you may check off the appropriate box)

It is your responsibility to obtain all appropriate permits and/or licenses for your business from the building department, licensing authority and board of health.

Business Certificates Filing and Renewals cost $40 and are good for four years.

Additional Form

Assessors Form for DBA's (PDF)

Upon discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business, or in the case of a change of residence of such person or of the location where the business is conducted, a form must be filed with the office of the City Clerk.

A business certificate is in full force and effect for four years from the date of issue. A new filing must be made every four years as long as the business is being conducted.

Sign before the city clerk or a notary public

Mail or deliver with a check payable to the City of Amesbury to:

City Clerks Office
62 Friend Street
Amesbury, MA 01913