Legal Question in Business Law in Massachusetts

Re: corporate letterhead regulations

In a word, no.

Our laws approach the issue of corporate addresses in this way: every corporation must either have a business address or appoint a registered agent in the state of charter. Corporations file annual reports to confirm such information, and most states require interim reporting if there is a substitution in registered agents. Further, corporations that are not chartered in-state are required to "qualify to do business" as a "foreign" corporation, and must supply address information to the secretary of state of the state where the foreign corporation is so doing business.

In addition, some states tightly police their "fictitious name" statutes to the extent of disregarding the corporate shield if a corporation uses something short of its full corporate name (e.g., uses XYZ Co. instead of XYZ Co., Inc.).

Thus, the public can inquire of the state government to find a corporate address, obviating the need for a corporation to use an address on its letterhead.

Glad to shed further light on your inquiry if you provide more facts. Best wishes,

LDWG