How to Form an LLC in Connecticut in 7 Steps

To file your Connecticut LLC, you must file a certificate of organization and pay the $120 state fee. If you wish to reserve your business name before filing, there is a $60 name reservation fee. The year after your filing, you must file an annual report with an $80 annual report fee.

It costs $120 to submit your certificate of organization.

Each year after the formation year of your LLC, you must file an annual report and pay an annual report fee of $80. There are additional fees if you need to amend the information in your certificate of organization. You can access a full list of these fees at the state of Connecticut's business fee schedule. There is no longer a business entity tax in Connecticut. 

• Single-Member LLC. A single-member LLC is an LLC with only one owner, similar to a sole proprietorship.
• Multi-Member LLC. A multi-member LLC is an LLC with more than one owner.
• Professional LLC. A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is another business entity option for licensed professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants and provides some liability protection.

The certificate of organization is the initial document to establish your LLC in Connecticut. Other states refer to it as "articles of organization" or "articles of formation." It is proof your LLC exists and that the Connecticut Secretary of State approved it. You may need your certificate of organization to open business bank accounts, credit card merchant accounts, or apply for business licenses. You can request a copy of the certificate of organization from the Secretary of State. The fee for a plain copy is $40.

A certificate of legal existence proves your LLC exists in Connecticut and complies with tax and filing obligations. Other states refer to this as a certificate of good standing.

A certificate of legal existence is not required but can be obtained online from the CT.gov site for $50. You may need one to open a business bank account, apply for government contracts, or register as a foreign LLC.

To form your Connecticut LLC, you must file a certificate of organization. You must designate a registered agent. You will need to file an annual report. While Connecticut does not require you to file an LLC operating agreement, completing one is an essential part of your business plan and not only helps you plan for growth but clarifies member responsibilities.

One of the main reasons to start a Connecticut limited liability company is for liability protection. With limited liability protection, LLC owners are only responsible for the company's liabilities up to the amount they invested in the company. This is a significant advantage because LLC owners' personal assets are not at risk for business debts and liabilities.

An LLC also offers the advantage of pass-through taxation the same way a partnership does. With pass-through taxation, LLC members report the company's profits on their personal tax returns. This can be preferable to corporate taxation. When corporations pay taxes, they can be subject to taxation at the corporate and personal levels. This is known as double taxation.

Each year you must file an annual report for your LLC with basic information about your LLC. The report is due between January 1 - March 31. There is also a $60 filing fee. You must submit annual reports to obtain a certificate of legal existence, which may be necessary for financial transactions. Further, you risk that the Secretary of the State will move to dissolve your LLC against your will.

No. A certificate of organization establishes your LLC in Connecticut. An LLC operating agreement is different from a certificate of organization. An operating agreement creates rules for your organization and is an internal business document. The certificate of organization filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State is a public document.

Yes. If your LLC would like to do business under any name other than the one you have registered with the state, you will need to file a trade name with the county clerk in your area. A trade name is also known as a "fictitious name," "doing business as," or "DBA."

While state law does not require a general business license, some occupations and professionals are required to obtain them. Check the license and permit center for more information. In addition, your local town or county may require permits or licenses, so check with your city or county clerk.

Yes. You can file for an LLC online at the CT.gov business page. You must create a user account to file online.

Mail LLC formation papers to:

Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470

Deliver documents in person at:

Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Avenue, Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106

Yes. If you choose not to be your own registered agent, you can use a registered agent service. The advantages of using a registered agent service include the following:

• A registered agent keeps your business private. They are the point of contact with the Connecticut Secretary of State. Any business disputes or service of process goes to your registered agent, not your business address, or in front of your customers.
• A registered agent helps with your business needs. As you expand your operations or register as a foreign LLC, you may need a copy of your certificate of organization or certificate of legal existence. They can get these documents for you.
• A registered agent is available during regular business hours. Registered offices must be open during regular business hours to accept service of process. You may only sometimes be available at your registered office.

If you set up an LLC in Connecticut, it is known as a domestic LLC. If you form an LLC in another state and choose to do business in Connecticut, it is known as a foreign LLC.

If you want your Connecticut LLC to do business in another state, you register as a foreign LLC in that state. Generally, to register as a foreign LLC, you must:

• See if your business name is available for use in the new state
• Complete the application as a foreign LLC in the new state
• Provide a certificate of legal existence of your Connecticut LLC (if required)
• Pay the application fee
• Set up any necessary business or tax accounts in the new state
• File annual reports in the new state (if required)

Yes. If you created your LLC outside of the state, you could still do business in Connecticut. But first, you need to register your LLC with the Secretary of the State. To do so, you must file a foreign registration statement and submit a $120 filing fee.

Before submitting this paperwork, you should make sure that your LLC name is available in Connecticut.

If you want to close your Connecticut LLC, you will need to file a certificate of dissolution. However, before dissolving your LLC, follow any dissolution procedures in your LLC operating agreement and close all tax and business accounts. There is no fee to file a certificate of dissolution.

While some states offer anonymous LLCs where members' information is kept private, Connecticut does not provide this. However, entrepreneurs concerned about their privacy can use a registered agent service to keep their contact information confidential.