Worcester, MA · Worcester County
Business Certificate for Sole Proprietor or Partnership
This business certificate records the name and address under which a sole proprietor or partnership conducts business, and is filed with the Worcester City 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
Use this two-page form to identify the business, its business address, and the sole proprietor or partnership and their residences. The individuals named must sign before a notary, then file the certificate with the City Clerk’s Office. The form states that certificates remain in effect for four years from issuance and must be renewed every four years; it also describes filing fees and requirements when a business or partnership is discontinued.
Who needs it
A sole proprietor or partnership conducting business under a business title in Worcester needs this certificate to file with the City Clerk’s Office.
Why it needs a notary
The form has a notarization acknowledgment with an oath or affirmation; each individual signing the certificate must personally appear before the notary and swear or affirm its contents.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Form
Get the Worcester business certificate from the City Clerk’s document center.
- 2
Fill In the Certificate
Complete the business name, address, proprietor or partnership details, and contact information in black ink.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Arrange an appointment with a commissioned online notary before signing.
- 4
Sign on Video
Appear before the notary by video, sign when instructed, and complete the oath or affirmation.
- 5
Submit to the City
File the completed certificate with the Worcester City Clerk’s Office.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Worcester. 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 Worcester business certificate?
- Complete the form, sign it in front of a notary, and submit it to the Worcester City Clerk’s Office. The form lists the filing fee and the fee for a certified copy.
- Do I need to sign the business certificate before meeting the notary?
- No. The form says not to sign until you personally appear before the notary. The notary acknowledgment also requires you to swear or affirm that the contents are truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief.
- Can I use a commissioned 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. Confirm with the city or town clerk if unsure whether the completed form meets filing requirements.
- How often must I renew the certificate?
- The form states that a business certificate is in effect for four years from its date of issue and must be renewed every four years.