Business Certificates

The following is important information relating to Business Certificates, MGL Chapter 110, Section 5.

Who must file?

  • Any person(s) conducting business under any title other than the complete real name of the owner, whether individually or as a partnership.
  • Inc., Corp., Ltd., may only be used by a corporation.
  • Any corporation doing business in a name other than the corporate name (must be filed by a corporate officer).

Where does one file?

  • This first step is temporarily on Hold as per W. McDonough, Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer - No Sign-Off Required as of 5-12-2022.  Until this process is reinstated by the Building Commissioner, simply complete the Signoff Form below - sign and return to the Town Clerk's Office with your Business Certificate and Home Occupation Application below, if applicable. 
    • You must first complete a sign off sheet at the office of the Building Inspector / Zoning Officer, 340 AnawanStreet. To begin the process, you may either stop by the Bulding Department Office at Town Hall, send the signoff sheet by US mail - drop off in the "Drop Box" outside Town Hall or e-mail the Building Department - select either  William McDonough or Kathy Amaral on their webpage @ https://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/building-department.  Please click below to view or print the sign off sheet:  
  • If you have a home business and can answer "No" to every question on the "Home Occupation Application, found below:
  • After completion of the sign off sheet, you may download your Business Certificate/dba (below), please complete and mail or drop off in the outside dropbox, your signed and notarized Business Certificate. If you would like the Town Clerk's Office to Notarize your signature, please do not sign until in front of us and stop by our office at 340 Anawan Street (Route 118).  Please ring Directory Button #8 and we will be glad to notarize your signature and process your Business Certificate. The "Business Certificate" application appears below:
    • Business Certificate Form - please complete and have your signature notarized.  Once the completed file is submitted to the Town Clerk's Office, along with your $50 payment made payable to the Town of Rehoboth (4-year Business Certificate Fee), your Business Certificate will be certified.

What about a change?

  • Upon discontinuing, retiring, or withdrawing from such business or partnership, or in the case of a change of residence of such person the location where the business is conducted, such form must be filed with the Town Clerk.

Does a business certificate expire?

  • Yes. A business certificate is in force and effect for four (4) years from the date of filing. A new filing must be made every four (4) years as long as the business is conducted.

Do I have to display the certificate?

  • No. But you must, upon request during regular business hours, provide a copy to any person who has purchased goods or services from such business.

Fees

  • $50.00 - Business Certificate Filing - (Four-Year Certificate Fee)
  • $10.00 - Withdrawals, Discontinuance, Changes, etc.
  • $10.00 - Certified Copy

To complete form & pay online, click below:

Penalties

  • Violations of these provisions shall be subject to a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300) for each month during which such violation continues.

To file by mail:

  • Obtain the necessary forms from this website (above links or attachments below). Fill out completely, except for the expiration date. Sign the form before a Notary Public. Mail with check or money order, made payable to the Town of Rehoboth, to 340 Anawan Street, Rehoboth, MA 02769.

To file online:

  • Simply download and complete the forms below.
    • Please download this form first: Home Occupation Application
      • If you can answer "No" to every question in the above "Home Occupation Application," you may simply sign and complete the "Business Certificate Form" below.
      • This step is temporarily on Hold as per W. McDonough, Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer - No Sign-Off Required as of 5-12-2022.  Until this process is reinstated by the Building Commissioner, simply complete the Signoff Form below - sign and return to the Town Clerk's Office with your Business Certificate.  If you answer "Yes" to any question on the above form, you must first download the "Business Certificate Sign Off Sheet" below, then secure the Building/Zoning Officer's approval along with the Board of Health, and Fire Department if required by Building/Zoning Officer.
    • Click here for the Business Certificate Form and click here for the Business Certificate Sign Off Sheet.
      • (Both forms must be completed through the Building Department before a business certificate can be issued.)
  • You may use your credit/debit card or transfer from your bank account by processing your $50 payment on our online payment website.
  • Signed forms can then be sent to the Town Clerk's office either via US Mail or scanned and emailed to our staff or dropped off at the drop box outside Town Hall (340 Anawan Street, Rehoboth). Click here to email Laura Schwallclick here to email Kerrie Perkins or click here to email Jennifer Hose. Please make sure you have your signature notarized on the business certificate prior to submitting.  If you would like our office to notarize your signature, please stop by and sign in front of us.  We will process your Business Certificate at the same time.  Thank you and good luck with your business. 

 Thank you.