Massachusetts § 33 - Certificates; signatures; seal; limitations and preferences

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 33 — Certificates; signatures; seal; limitations and preferences, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 33. Certificates; signatures; seal; limitations and preferences

Section 33. Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate, in form conformable to section fifteen, which shall be signed by the president or a vice president and either the treasurer or an assistant treasurer of the corporation, shall be sealed with its seal and shall certify the number of shares, and the class thereof, owned by him in such corporation; but when any such certificate is signed by a transfer agent or transfer clerk and by a registrar and the registrar is not the same person, partnership, association, trust or corporation as the transfer agent or transfer clerk, the signature of the president or a vice president or of the treasurer or an assistant treasurer of the corporation, or both such signatures, or the seal of the corporation, or either or both such signatures and such seal, upon such certificate may be facsimile, and such certificate shall be as valid and effectual for all purposes as if signed by such officer or officers, or sealed with its corporate seal, as the case may be. Each certificate of stock, which by the agreement of association or amended agreement of association or, in the case of a corporation created by special law, by its articles of organization or by amendment is limited as to its voting rights or is preferred as to its dividend or as to its share of assets upon dissolution, shall have plainly written, printed or stamped thereon either a sufficient statement of such limitation or preference or a notification that its preferences, voting powers, restrictions and qualifications are fixed in the agreement of association or articles of organization or amendments filed in the office of the state secretary.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 33

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 33 cover?

Section 33 ("Certificates; signatures; seal; limitations and preferences") 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 § 33?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 33" (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 § 33 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.