Kingston, MA · Plymouth County
Business Certificate
The Business Certificate registers a business conducted in Kingston under a name other than its owner’s complete real name or a corporation’s corporate name, and is filed 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
Kingston uses this certificate to register a business name for public information and consumer protection; it is not a license to do business. The form says the owner or authorized corporate signing officer must complete and sign it before a notary, then mail or deliver it with the filing fee to the Town Clerk. A certificate is effective for four years, and the instructions call for renewal every four years while the business continues.
Who needs it
A person or partnership using a business name other than the owners’ complete real names, or a corporation using a name other than its corporate name, must file.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Certificate
Get the Business Certificate and filing instructions from the Town of Kingston.
- 2
Complete the Form
Fill in the business name, nature and location, owner details, and other requested information. Leave the expiration date blank.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Arrange an online notarization before signing the form.
- 4
Sign on Video
Sign in the notary’s presence on video and take the oath requested in the form.
- 5
Submit to the Town
Mail or deliver the notarized form and filing fee to the Kingston Town Clerk.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Kingston. 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 a Kingston Business Certificate?
- Complete the form, sign before a notary, and mail or deliver it with the filing fee to the Kingston Town Clerk at the address listed in the instructions.
- Do I need to sign the certificate in front of a notary?
- Yes. Kingston’s instructions say to sign the form before a notary public. The form includes an oath jurat for the signers.
- Can I sign this form with a commissioned online notary?
- Massachusetts permanently authorized remote online notarization for its own notaries effective January 1, 2024. Ask the Kingston Town Clerk whether the notarized certificate can be submitted in your preferred format.
- What if I am unsure whether my business needs this certificate?
- The form describes who must file based on the business name used. For questions about local filing requirements, confirm with the city or town clerk if unsure.
Business Certificate in other Plymouth County cities
Each city publishes its own version of this form. Pick the city where you’re filing.