Doing Business in Rockland

WHAT IS A BUSINESS CERTIFICATE, DBA (doing business as)?
A Business Certificate is a local registration of a business that is conducted within the Town and filed with the Town Clerk, either in person or by mail, in every city/town where a business of any such person, partnership or corporation may be situated. It is commonly referred to as a “d/b/a” (doing business as). The primary purpose of filing is to protect consumers or creditors by identifying the names and addresses of the owners of the business. Essentially, the public has a right to know who “is” a particular business, since a customer will not know who owns the business simply by the name of the business.

NOTE: A business certificate is not a license to do business in the Town of Rockland. Additional licenses/permits issued by other town departments or state agencies may be required in order to do business. Please refer to the Town of Rockland Zoning Bylaws for conducting a business in the business district or the residential/home business. Before obtaining a business certificate you must present a certificate signed off by the Building Inspector stating that the business is appropriate for the zoning district.

WHO MUST FILE?
Any person conducting a business under any title (business name) other than the complete real name of the person conducting the business must file a certificate. A person is defined as an individual, a partnership, or a corporation.

WHO MUST SIGN THE BUSINESS CERTIFICATE?
If the business is owned solely by one person, only that person needs to sign. If it is a partnership of two or more people (but not a formal legal entity), both or all of the “partners” must sign. If it is a legal partnership, any officer who has authority to sign on behalf of the partnership may do so. If it is a corporation, an officer who has signatory authority must sign – which is usually the President, but not always. All signatures must be made in front of a notary, the Town Clerk or the Assistant Town Clerk. Do not sign the certificate unless it is in front of one of these three individuals. An individual must be 18 years of age or older to legally sign a business certificate.

HOW LONG IS MY BUSINESS CERTIFICATE GOOD FOR?
Business Certificates are valid for a period of four (4) years from the date of its original filing. They must be renewed every four (4) years for as long as the business is being conducted.

WHAT IS THE FEE TO FILE A CERTIFICATE OR STATEMENT?
Filing/Renewal of a Business Certificate- $40.00 (4 years).

WHERE DO I GET THE FORMS AND HOW DO I FILE?
You may submit your application online at rockland-ma.gov. Choose Business Certificate Application link here and you will be redirected to our new Business Certificate program, or you may come into the Town Clerk’s office.

For additional FAQs, please visit the Town Clerk's website.