Tewksbury, MA · Middlesex County
Business Certificate (DBA)
This Business Certificate registers a business operating in Tewksbury under a name other than its owner’s real name; the business owner or partners file it with the Town Clerk.
- 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 registers a business name and identifies its owner or owners; it is not a zoning approval or a permit to operate in a residential district. Tewksbury requires it for people doing business in town under a name other than the owner’s real name, and it must be renewed every four years while the business operates. The packet also includes tax compliance and emergency information forms, plus a statement for discontinuance or certain changes.
Who needs it
A person or partnership conducting business in Tewksbury under a title other than the owner’s real name must file a Business Certificate with the Town Clerk.
Why it needs a notary
The certificate has an oath block stating that the signers personally appeared and swore the statement is true; each owner or partner signs before a notary or the Town Clerk.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Form
Get the Business Certificate packet from the Tewksbury Town Clerk or the town website.
- 2
Fill Out the Packet
Complete the certificate, tax compliance form, and emergency information form. Leave the certificate expiration date blank.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Arrange an online notarization for the oath block, and check with the Town Clerk if you are unsure whether it will accept the notarized form.
- 4
Sign on Video
Each owner or partner who must sign completes the oath and signs in the commissioned online notary’s presence.
- 5
Submit to the Town
Send the completed forms and the required payment to the Tewksbury Office of the Town Clerk.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Tewksbury. 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 complete the Business Certificate?
- Fill out the certificate, leaving the expiration date blank, and sign before a notary or the Town Clerk. Partnerships require each individual partner to sign in the notary’s or clerk’s presence.
- Do I need a notary for this form?
- The form says to sign in the presence of the Town Clerk or a Notary Public. If you plan to file by mail, confirm with the city or town clerk if unsure whether online notarization is accepted.
- Can I use an online notary?
- Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization by its notaries effective January 1, 2024, under G.L. c. 222, §§27–29. Check with the Tewksbury Town Clerk about accepting a remotely notarized certificate.
- How long does the Business Certificate last?
- The form states that a Business Certificate is effective for four years from its issue date and must be renewed every four years while the business is operating.
Business Certificate (DBA) in other Middlesex County cities
Each city publishes its own version of this form. Pick the city where you’re filing.