LLC Certificate of Organization / Articles of Organization: Boston restaurant guide

MA Secretary of the Commonwealth — Corporations Division

What it is

Creates your legal business entity in Massachusetts. Boston's licensing applications expect a registered entity, and the lease must be in that entity's name.

When a restaurant needs it

Before signing a lease or applying for any license (sole proprietors can skip it, but most restaurants form an LLC or corporation).

How to apply

File online through the Corporations Division Online Filing system or mail the downloadable form.

Documents you’ll need

Entity name
Principal office address
Resident agent name and address
Names of managers/officers
Signature of organizer

Fee

LLC Certificate of Organization: $500.00; LLC annual report: $500.00. Business corporation Articles of Organization: $275.00 min. for up to 275,000 shares; corporation annual report $100 online.

Processing time

Online filings are usually processed within days

Renewal

Annual report every year

Who files

An owner, an organizer, or an attorney/formation service may file.

Good to know

For an on-premises (§12) alcohol license, a majority of the LLC's managers (or a corporation's directors) must not be aliens, and the license manager must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien. Set up your management with that in mind.

Official source

MA Corporations Division — filing fees · MA Corporations Division — home and online filing

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.