Registering a DBA in Massachusetts

Any company that wishes to do business in Massachusetts under a name other than its registered company name must register a so-called "trade name" (an equivalent of DBA or "doing business as"). In Massachusetts applications to register a trade name are filed with the city or town clerk of the municipality where the business is located.

Massachusetts trade name applications must be notarized prior to filing, and an approval from Zoning Department must be obtained first, a fact that makes the process lengthy and frustrating, and often results in denial of application.

We can help you research the trade name of your choice, and prepare and file all the necessary trade name registration paperwork with your city/town clerk, however due to zoning requirements we often recommend our sole proprietorship and general partnership clients to consider forming an LLC or a corporation instead.