Melrose, MA · Middlesex County
Business Certificate Application
This application lets a business owner or applicant file a Melrose business certificate with the City Clerk, providing business contact details, activity information, and required sworn certification.
- 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
Melrose’s City Clerk form is used to apply for or renew a business certificate and asks for business contact information, a description of activities, and related details. The form says new businesses must submit an occupancy permit with the completed application; it also requests property-owner authorization when the applicant is not the legal property owner. The certificate is valid for four years, and the form lists a $75 filing fee.
Who needs it
A business owner or applicant filing for a new or renewed Melrose business certificate needs this form, with property-owner authorization when the applicant is not the legal property owner.
Why it needs a notary
The form includes an acknowledgment stating the applicant personally appeared and swore or affirmed the contents; the applicant signs the certification before a notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Application
Get the Business Certificate Application from the City of Melrose.
- 2
Complete the Form
Provide business contact information and describe the business activities. Complete property-owner authorization if applicable.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Schedule a session with a commissioned online notary for the applicant’s sworn certification.
- 4
Sign on Video
Appear by video and sign the certification when instructed by the notary.
- 5
Submit to the City
Submit the notarized application and required materials, including an occupancy permit for a new business, to the Melrose City Clerk.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Melrose. 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 get the business certificate application notarized?
- Complete the form, then book with a commissioned online notary. Sign during the video session when instructed, and submit the notarized application and required materials to the Melrose City Clerk.
- Do I need to sign the application in front of a notary?
- The application includes a block stating that the applicant personally appeared and swore or affirmed the contents. Sign that certification before the notary.
- Can I use an online notary for this Melrose form?
- Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization for its own notaries effective January 1, 2024, under G.L. c. 222, §§ 27–29. Confirm with the city or town clerk if unsure whether the city will accept the notarized form.
- What else should I submit with the application?
- The form says new businesses must include an occupancy permit. If the applicant is not the legal property owner, complete the property-owner authorization section. It also lists a $75 filing fee.
Business Certificate Application in other Middlesex County cities
Each city publishes its own version of this form. Pick the city where you’re filing.