Business Certificate

Required Filing

If you are doing business on Nantucket, under anything other than your own name, you are required by Massachusetts General Law (MGL) to file a Doing Business As (DBA) with the Town Clerk’s Office.

There are three exceptions where you are not required by law to file:

• If you are currently incorporated within the State of Massachusetts and are operating the Business under the corporate name. (If operating in a name other than the corporate name, you must file a DBA with the town.)
•  If you hold an LLC with the State of Massachusetts, and are operating the Business under the LLC name.
• If you have a Trademark with the State of Massachusetts.

Please remember that filing a DBA is not a name protection unless you fall under the three exceptions.

Please also note: ** A Business Certificate does not necessarily give you permission to operate your business, it only registers the name.  It is your responsibility to obtain any and all required permits and/or licenses to operate from the building department, health department, and/or proper licensing authority.**

The filing fee is $50 and your DBA will be valid for four years from the date of filing.

Please call our office to make an appointment if you are filing your DBA in person.

Business Certificate (DBA) (PDF)