Secretary of State Massachusetts

Massachusetts Secretary of State (hereof SOS) is the Commonwealth's elections, public information, and securities regulation. The office is currently in charge of keeping public records, running elections, registering businesses, and filing and announcing regulations and public documents. 

Moreover, the Secretary of State’s website serves as a database for business license lookup and verification. Let’s touch upon the process in more detail below.

Massachusetts Business Registration and Verification

It seems like a challenging process at first to handle the business registration processes in MA. You are to name your company, then register it with the SOS, and at the same time hold a business license.

Generally, when it comes to the first stage, naming, it is quite overwhelming to find the exact match for your firm that is open for pickup. So, first of all, you are to run a Massachusetts Secretary of State business search and check if the name you need is available. Later, you are to reserve it and complete the required paperwork so that you can own it. 

Next comes the firm registration. So, you must define the company’s structure such as sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, etc. Later, as noted above, you are to register your firm name. 

If you have completed all the steps with success, you are to get an employer identification number (EIN) and register for taxes. 

When you are all set up it’s high time to get your business license and other required permits. Now, you may verify your corporation.  

Verifying a Business  

Currently, Massachusetts Secretary of State Corporations offers a database to run a quick lookup and verify your corporation. It enables getting official information about a corporation in the state of Massachusetts. 

Yet, the data in the database might not be the only paperwork needed for official purposes. To verify the precise documentation required for your case, it is advised to speak with the government agency or seek a relevant specialist.

Massachusetts Business Filings

Generally, to comply with the MA requirements, companies have to submit some basic paperwork known as business filings. The list of these documents is not the same for all business types, but there are some general ones you’ll need in any case. 

First and foremost, you must submit an Entity Name, which is the official name under which the Corporations Division of the MA Secretary of State recognizes the company. 

Then comes the Charter Number, which is a unique identifier that the SOS is assigning to your company. Trade Registration Number and Name Reservation Number are also obligatory to have.  

These documents may also include the following:  

• request forms for licenses and permits
• annual reports
• tax filings
• details about the officers and agents of the firm.

P.S. The list may vary based on your corporation type. 

How Do You Check if a Company is Registered in Massachusetts?

When dealing with companies (including LLCs) operating in MA, most people try to check if the firm is officially registered. This helps to avoid fraud and team up with trustworthy firms. Thus, for this purpose, the Secretary of State Massachusetts developed a database that contains information on the status of companies such as:  

• Entity name
• Charter number
• Any relevant filing history

If the online lookup doesn’t work for you, you may directly contact the SOS Corporations Division at 617-727-9640. In some cases, contacting the Department of Revenue at 617-887-MDOR (6367) may be useful.

How Much Does it Cost to Register a Business in MA?

There is no fixed cost. Several factors affect the cost of registration, such as enterprise type, number of employees, etc. Yet, some fees are obligatory for any type of enterprise. 

First of all, you have to pay a fee of $500 for initial enrollment. Other fees include annual report fees, and various taxes and licenses. Additionally, there may be extra fees applicable based on the nature and location of your enterprise. That is why it is best to consult with the appropriate agency or a professional.

Contact Information

The MA SOS's contact information is as follows:

Address:

One Ashburton Place, Room 1717

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: 617-727-9640

Email: [email protected]