How to Start an LLC in Connecticut (2026)
Filing your Connecticut LLC costs $120 and requires a certificate of organization submitted to the Secretary of the State. This guide walks you through every step, from choosing a name to opening your business bank account.
In This Article
What You'll Learn in This Guide
This guide walks you through every step to legally form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Connecticut — from picking a name to staying compliant year after year. We've kept it practical, current, and free of unnecessary fluff.
Note
Connecticut LLC formation costs $120 in state fees. Most founders complete the process in 2-3 business days, either DIY or through a formation service starting at $0.
Connecticut LLC: Quick Facts
Last Verified: Feb 2026- Filing Fee (Online)
- $120
- Processing Time
- 2-3 business days
- Expedited Available
- No
- Annual Report
- $80 (annual)*
- State Income Tax
- Yes
- Sales Tax Rate
- 6.35%
- Filed With
- Secretary of the State
- Last Verified
- February 21, 2026
* Annual Report: $80, due March 31 each year
What You Need to Know About Forming an LLC in Connecticut
A Connecticut LLC separates your personal assets from your business debts and liabilities. If your LLC gets sued or can't pay a vendor, your house, car, and personal savings stay protected. That legal boundary is the core reason most founders choose the LLC structure.
Connecticut's $120 filing fee is moderate compared to other states, and there's no longer a separate business entity tax (the state repealed it). You will, however, owe an $80 annual report fee each year, due by March 31. That predictable cost structure makes budgeting straightforward.
The process itself is simple. You'll pick a unique name, designate a registered agent with a Connecticut address, file your certificate of organization online or by mail, grab an EIN from the IRS, draft an operating agreement, and open a business bank account. Most founders can complete everything within a few days if they file online.
Choose a Name for Your Connecticut LLC
Your LLC name must be unique in Connecticut and follow specific state naming rules. You can search existing business names for free before filing.
Connecticut requires every LLC name to be distinguishable from other business entities already on file with the Secretary of the State. Your name must signal to the public that you're a limited liability company, and it can't imply you're a type of business you're not (like a bank or insurance company without proper licensing).
Search available names →Connecticut LLC Naming Rules
Optional Name Reservation
- Search available names at the Connecticut business search portal
- Reserve your name for 120 days for a $60 fee if you're not ready to file yet
- If your name is available and you're ready, skip the reservation and go straight to filing
State Specific
Connecticut lets you reserve a business name for 120 days for $60, which is one of the longer reservation windows in the country.
Pro Tip
Search the Connecticut business name database before you get attached to a name. It's free and takes less than a minute.
Choose a Registered Agent in Connecticut
Every Connecticut LLC must have a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This person or company receives legal documents on your behalf.
Your registered agent is the official point of contact between your LLC and the state. They accept service of process (lawsuit notifications), tax notices, and compliance documents during business hours. In Connecticut, your registered agent must be either a natural person who lives in the state or a business entity registered with the Secretary of the State. They must have a physical street address in Connecticut. P.O. boxes don't count.
Your Registered Agent Options
- You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Connecticut street address and are reliably available during business hours
- A trusted friend, family member, or business associate who lives in Connecticut can serve for free
- A professional registered agent service (typically $50-$300 per year) handles everything and keeps your personal address private
Pro Tip
If you work from home, using a professional registered agent service keeps your home address off public records.
File Your Certificate of Organization with Connecticut
This is the official filing that creates your LLC. You'll submit your certificate of organization to the Connecticut Secretary of the State either online or by mail.
Your certificate of organization is the document that officially brings your Connecticut LLC into existence. It includes your LLC's name, registered agent information, management structure, and the organizer's details. You can file online through the Connecticut Secretary of the State's business portal or submit a paper form by mail. The filing fee is $120 either way.
File Online
File by Mail
Information You'll Need to File
- Your LLC's legal name (including "LLC" or "L.L.C.")
- Name and Connecticut street address of your registered agent
- Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
- Name and address of the organizer
- Your $120 filing fee payment
State Specific
Connecticut repealed its Business Entity Tax, so you won't owe any additional state-level entity tax when forming your LLC.
Recommended: ZenBusiness
Beginner-friendly LLC formation with transparent pricing and a free starter option. From $0 + state fees.
Get an EIN for Your Connecticut LLC
An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID number. You need it to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes.
Apply for your EIN directly on the IRS website at no cost. The online application takes about five minutes, and you'll receive your EIN immediately after completing it. You'll need your LLC's legal name, address, and the responsible party's Social Security number. Even single-member LLCs should get an EIN rather than using a personal SSN for business purposes.
Apply for your EIN on IRS.gov →Create an Operating Agreement for Your LLC
Connecticut doesn't legally require an operating agreement, but writing one protects your ownership rights and keeps your LLC running smoothly.
An operating agreement is your LLC's internal rulebook. It defines who owns what, how profits are split, how decisions get made, and what happens if a member leaves. Even if you're a single-member LLC, this document reinforces the legal separation between you and your business, which strengthens your liability protection.
Key Sections to Include
State Specific
Connecticut law does not require an operating agreement, but banks and investors often ask for one. Without it, state default rules govern your LLC, which may not reflect what you actually want.
Open a Business Bank Account for Your Connecticut LLC
A separate business bank account keeps your personal and business finances apart, which is essential for maintaining your LLC's liability protection.
Mixing personal and business money is one of the easiest ways to lose your LLC's liability protection. If a court sees that you're treating your business account like a personal piggy bank, they can "pierce the corporate veil" and hold you personally responsible for business debts. A dedicated business account avoids that risk and makes bookkeeping dramatically easier at tax time.
What to Bring to the Bank
- Your filed certificate of organization (or confirmation from the Secretary of the State)
- Your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Your operating agreement (many banks request this)
- An initial deposit (amount varies by bank)
Pro Tip
Many Connecticut banks and credit unions offer free business checking for small LLCs. Compare a few options before committing.
Top 3 LLC Formation Services
We've independently reviewed the top LLC formation services in Connecticut. Here's how they compare.
| Feature | ZenBusiness Best Overall Value | Northwest Registered Agent Best Privacy | Tailor Brands Best for Branding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0 + state fees | $39 + state fees | $0 + state fees |
| Formation Speed | 1-10 business days | Same-day filing | 2-14 business days |
| Support | Phone, Chat, Email | Lifetime Corporate Guides | Phone, Chat, Email |
| States Covered | 50 states | 50 states | 50 states |
| In Business Since | 2015 | 1998 | 2014 |
| Get Started → | Get Started → | Get Started → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do Next
Once your Connecticut LLC is approved, take these steps to set your business up for success.
Get an EIN
Apply for free in about 10 minutes at IRS.gov — required before opening a bank account or hiring anyone.
Open a Business Bank Account
Keep personal and business finances separate from day one. Bring your EIN, Articles of Organization, and a government ID.
Create an Operating Agreement
Even if Connecticut does not require one, an operating agreement protects your liability shield and defines how the LLC is managed.
File Your Annual Report
Set a calendar reminder now. Missing your Annual Report deadline can result in late fees or administrative dissolution.
Ready To File?
Start your Connecticut LLC with ZenBusiness — guided filing and compliance support included.
About the Author
Legal & Compliance Analyst
Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.
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