As the official Chicago record keeper, the Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the issuance of the official City of Chicago business license (i.e., the actual hardcopy printed license). However, the Office of the City Clerk does not play any other role in the business licensing process (including license application review, acceptance of payment, etc.). The Office of the City Clerk can only print/issue businesses to businesses that have been formally approved by the City’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. The only exception to this rule are annual Automatic Amusement Devices, which are sold and issued by the Office of the City Clerk. For these licenses, please download the application listed in the “download” box above. Questions about Automatic Amusement Devices? Please call us at 312-744-6774.

For all other questions / needs regarding business licenses, please inquire with the Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Department.