Massachusetts § 9A - Reservation of corporate name
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 9A — Reservation of corporate name, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 9A. Reservation of corporate name
Section 9A. Any person intending to organize a corporation under the General Laws, or any corporation organized under the General Laws intending to change its name, or any foreign corporation, as defined in subsection (a) of section 1.40 of subdivision D of Part 1 of chapter 156D, intending to make application for a certificate of authority to transact business in the commonwealth, or any foreign corporation, as so defined, authorized to transact business in the commonwealth and intending to change its name, or any person intending to organize and incorporate a foreign corporation, as so defined, and intending to have the corporation make application for a certificate of authority to transact business in the commonwealth may reserve the exclusive right to the use of a corporate name.
The reservation shall be made by filing with the secretary of the commonwealth an application to reserve a specific corporate name, signed by the applicant, accompanied by a fee to be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven. If the name is available for corporate use, in compliance with the provisions of sections nine and ten, the secretary of the commonwealth shall reserve the name for the exclusive use of the applicant for a period of thirty days, and shall so notify the applicant in writing.
The secretary of the commonwealth may extend the reservation for an additional thirty days upon written request of the applicant accompanied by a fee to be determined also under the aforementioned chapter seven provision.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 9A
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 9A cover?
Section 9A ("Reservation of corporate name") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 9A?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 9A" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 9A apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.