Business Certificates

How do I Obtain a Business Certificate?

If you are starting a business and are a single proprietorship, partnership or corporation doing business under a name other than your own, you must file a Business Certificate with the Town Clerk.  The only case in which you do not have to file a "dba" is when you are doing business in your own complete name, such as John Smith, or your own incorporated name.

Filing a Business Certificate at the town level does not protect your name as a corporate filing, as a trademark registration does. It merely allows consumers and/or creditors to identify the names of the actual owners of the business.  State law requires this filing.

A Business Certificate does not give you permission to operate your business; it only registers the name.  It is your responsibility to obtain all appropriate permits and/or licenses for your business from the appropriate departments, including the Building Department and various licensing authorities.

All owners and/or co-owners must appear at the Town Clerk's office, in person, to supply information and sign the business certificate. Identification is required.

The Fee is $40.00 and certificate is valid for four (4) years

If any changes occur during the four year period, you must appear and file a change or discontinuance form. The fee is $20.