Lexington, MA · Middlesex County
Business Certificate Filing
This business certificate form records a business operating under a name other than its owner’s real name, and is filed with the Lexington Town Clerk by the person or partnership 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
The certificate reports the business name, address, contact details, nature of the business, and the people conducting it. Lexington requires people conducting business under a title other than their real name to file it with the Town Clerk; the form says the certificate remains in effect for four years and must then be renewed. The instructions ask filers to complete it in black ink, have it notarized, and return it with a $40 check payable to the Town of Lexington.
Who needs it
A person or partnership conducting business in Lexington under a title other than the real name of the person conducting the business must file this certificate.
Why it needs a notary
The form includes an oath before a notary public; each named person or officer signs the certificate and makes the oath before the notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Certificate
Download the Lexington Business Certificate Filing form.
- 2
Complete the Form
Fill in the business and signer information in black ink, as the form instructs.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Arrange an online notarization with a commissioned online notary for the signer or signers.
- 4
Sign on Video
Appear before the notary by video, make the oath, and sign as directed.
- 5
Submit to the Town Clerk
Return the notarized certificate to the Lexington Town Clerk with a $40 check payable to the Town of Lexington.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Lexington. 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 the notarized business certificate?
- Complete the form in black ink, have the required signer or signers make the oath before a notary, and return it with a $40 check payable to the Town of Lexington.
- Do I need to sign the certificate in front of a notary?
- Yes. The form says to have it notarized and includes an oath stating that the named person or persons personally appeared before a notary and made the oath.
- Can I use a commissioned online notary for this form?
- Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization for its own notaries effective January 1, 2024. Ask the Lexington Town Clerk if unsure whether the notarized form meets filing requirements.
- When should I renew the business certificate?
- The form says the certificate is in effect for four years from its issue date and must be renewed every four years while the business continues. Confirm with the city or town clerk if unsure.