cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

M.G.L. Chapter 154
M.G.L. Chapter 255
City Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.1, Clause 12

Authorization to collect the future wages or salary of a person.

The fee is $5.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 233, Section 51
City Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.1, Clauses 14 and 15

Filing of a notice of attachment by the Sheriff's Department pursuant to a civil order in the City Clerk's Office.

The fee is $5.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 203, Section 41.
City Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.1, Clause 11

Filing of a valid copy of an assignment a debtor has made for the benefit of creditors.

The fee is $10.00.

M.G.L, Chapter 110, Section 5
City Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.2, Clauses 30 and 31

Requires business owners to file a business certificate every four years with their respective city or town clerk.

Business Certificate Information

1. The City Council meets every Wednesday at 11:30 AM.
2. The agendas for City Council Meetings may be obtained on-line or through the City Clerk's Office after 4:00 PM Tuesday before the meeting.
3. The minutes of the City Council meetings may be obtained on-line or through the City Clerk's Office after 4:00 PM on the Friday after the meeting.
4. Records of Legislation are kept in the City Clerk's Office.

View City Council Records

City Ordinance, Chapter 2
City Ordinance, Chapter 12-1
City Ordinance, Chapter 12-3

Any questions about the City Code or to request copies of City Ordinances may be directed to the City Clerk's Office. A fee of $0.50 per page is assessed for copies. The City Code may also be researched online via American Legal Publisher's website, or you contact them directly at 1-800-445-5588.
American Legal Publisher

M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 4B

Filing of contracts that are issued to vendors/contractors, etc. doing business with the city for a cumulative cost that exceeds the excess of $2,000 during a fiscal year should be filed in the office of the City Clerk.

M.G.L. Chapter 93, Section 28A.
City Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.3, Clause 16

Any entity that is going out-of-business or conducting a liquidation sale in the City of Boston must file an Application for Closing Out Sales three (3) days prior to the initiation of the sales and/or liquidation.

The application must include a complete inventory of all present stock and a bond in the amount of $1000.00.

The fee to file this application is $30.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 188, Section 2.

A copy of the Declaration of Homestead signed by the owner of the mobile home must be filed with the City Clerk's Office.

The filing fee is $35.00.

City of Boston Ordinance, Chapter 12-9A.3

Domestic partners may file an official record of their domestic partnership by completing, signing and submitting to the City Clerk a Statement of Domestic Partnership.

Individuals who submit a Statement of Domestic Partnership must declare under the penalties of perjury that they meet the criteria specified in City Ordinance, Chapter 12-9A, Section 1a. 

The fee is $62.00 ($50.00 filing fee and $12.00 certified copy fee) due at the time of filing at the City Clerk's Office. The fee for any additional certified copies is $12.00.

FORMS:
Statement of Domestic Partnership
Statement of Additional Dependents
Termination of a Statement of Domestic Partnership

By mail, please provide information as requested on forms, make money order payable to the City of Boston and mail to the following address:

Office of the City Clerk
Boston City Hall
Room 601
One City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201

View an outline of the City of Boston's administrative procedures and download a Notice of Claim form to file for compensation due to injuries/damages caused by road/sidewalk defects/ potholes within the City, and automotive collisions with a vehicle owned by the City.

More Information about Filing a Claim 

M.G.L. Chapter 159A, Section 1.
City of Boston Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.10

A Jitney License is required if you or your company transports individuals to and from specific locations within the City of Boston. You must submit an application to the City Clerk's Office for presentation to the Boston City Council. You will be notified by the Clerk's Office once the application has been approved by the City Council.

The initial fee is $250.00. The annual renewal fee is $100.00.

Per Massachusetts General Law, those practicing medicine in Boston must present their certificate of registration to the City Clerk of Boston.

Medical Registration Information and Forms

M.G.L. Chapter 156B, Section 83

A Corporation must file copies with the City Clerk's Office of the Articles of Amendments which have been certified by the Secretary of State.

The fee is $25.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 4, Sections 7 - C1 43rd. Amended. Act 2005, Ch. 130

Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Military Duty. Federal Form DD214.

M.G.L. Chapter 112, Section 8
City Ordinance, Chapter 18-1.16

Physicians practicing medicine in the City of Boston are required to file a Physicians Certificate of Registration with the City Clerk's Office.
The fee is $100.00

Physician Certificate of Registration Information and Forms

M.G.L. Chapter 190B, Article V

Instrument authorizing another to act as one's agent or attorney.

The fee is $10.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 164, Section 84A.

Utility companies must file annually with the City Clerk's Office a condense return showing the business and financial condition of the company.

The fee is $10.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 166, Section 22.

Utility companies contact the City Clerk's Office of prospective locations for utility poles. The City Clerk's Office notifies the abutters of that particular location and that a public hearing will be held to discuss placing the utility pole at that location.

The fee is $30.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 233, Section 79F.

A certified statement issued by the City Clerk attesting to the validity of a public way.

The fee is $5.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 128A, Section 4.

A license issued by the State Racing Commission to conduct a horse or dog racing meet in connection with a state or county fair, or any exhibition for the encouragement or extension of agriculture must be recorded with the City Clerk's Office.

Permits for Raffles and Bazaars are required for all such events held in the City of Boston.

Application & Additional Information

M.G.L. Chapter 255, Section 15.

The person to whom money is due for construction, launching, repair, or storage of a vessel shall have a lien placed upon vessel. The lien shall continue until satisfied.

The fee is $10.00.

M.G.L. Chapter 182, Section 2. 

The trustees of an association or trust shall file a copy of the written instrument of a Declaration of Trust with the City Clerk's Office. Any changes to the original trust (known as an amendment) are also filed with the City Clerk's Office.

The fee is $100.00 per new Declaration of Trust or for an amendment to an existing Declaration of Trust.

M.G.L. Chapter 106, Section 9-406.

As of July 1, 2001, the City Clerk's Office will no longer accept any UCC filings. All UCC filings already on file with this office will continue to be handled by the City Clerk's Office through July 1, 2008.

All new filings and terminations must be filed with the MA Secretary of State's Office.

City of Boston Ordinance 2004, Chapter 11.

All institutions of higher education in the City of Boston are required to file a "University Accountability Report" each semester/quarter to the City Clerk's Office as stipulated by City Ordinance 2004, Chapter 11.

Two reports are due in the City Clerk's Office within forty-five (45) calendar days of the beginning of each semester or quarter from each college and university. The Clerk shall forward one report to the Mayor of the City of Boston.

Each report must contain the total number of students enrolled, students residing in campus housing, students residing off campus, a breakdown of the location of off-campus students by Boston zip code and a complete list of addresses of properties currently owned, leased, rented or operated by the institution in which students are housed.

University Accountability Reporting Form

M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 85.

Weigher of Goods are engaged in the business of buying, selling or transporting the goods or commodities weighed, measured or surveyed.

M.G.L. Chapter 115, Section 3A.

Any veteran permanently discharged from military service may file a discharge notice with the City Clerk's Office.