Amherst, MA · Hampshire County
Business Certificate
The Business Certificate declares the name, address, and type of a business operating under a title, and is filed with the Amherst Town Clerk by the person or persons conducting the business.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
This one-page form records the business title, address, contact details, type of business, and the names and addresses of the people conducting it. The form provides options for a new filing or renewal and states that the certificate lasts four years and must be renewed every four years while the business continues. The Amherst Town Clerk completes the received-and-recorded section after filing.
Who needs it
People conducting a business under a business title who are making a new filing or renewing an existing certificate with the Amherst Town Clerk need this form.
Why it needs a notary
The form has a jurat requiring each listed signer to sign in the presence of a notary and swear or affirm that the contents are truthful and accurate.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Form
Get the Amherst Business Certificate form from the town’s document page.
- 2
Fill Out the Form
Enter the business details and the full names and addresses of the people conducting the business; select new filing or renewal.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Arrange a session with a commissioned online notary for the required jurat.
- 4
Sign on Video
Sign during the online session and swear or affirm that the form’s contents are truthful and accurate.
- 5
Submit to the Town
Submit the notarized form to the Amherst Town Clerk for receipt and recording.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Amherst. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I file an Amherst Business Certificate?
- Complete the form, sign it before a notary, then submit it to the Amherst Town Clerk. The clerk completes the received-and-recorded section.
- Do I need to swear or affirm before signing?
- Yes. The form’s notary section says the signer swears or affirms that its contents are truthful and accurate to the best of their knowledge and belief.
- Can I use a remote online notary for this form?
- Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization for its own notaries effective January 1, 2024, under G.L. c. 222, §§27–29. Ask the Amherst Town Clerk whether the notarized form can be submitted remotely.
- How often must I renew the certificate?
- The form states that the certificate is in force for four years and must be renewed every four years while the business continues. Confirm with the city or town clerk if unsure.
Other forms in Amherst
Business Certificate in other Hampshire County cities
Each city publishes its own version of this form. Pick the city where you’re filing.